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151-0160-00L 4 Credits MSC D-ITET , D-MAVT , D-PHYS
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Fuel Cycle and Waste Management

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Marco Streit, Dr. Thomas Kämpfer, Dr. Robert Eichler, Prof. Dr. Sergey Churakov
Note: The previous course title until FS22 "Nuclear Energy Systems".
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:34

Abstract

Physical and chemical aspects of the synthesis and distribution of uranium, radioactive decay and detection, uranium production, uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel production, reprocessing of spent fuel, nuclear waste disposal and final deep geological repository

Objective

Students get an overview on the physical and chemical fundamentals, the technological processes and the environmental impact of the full energy conversion chain of nuclear power generation including final repository.

Content

(1-5) survey on the cosmic and geological origin of uranium and its deposits, (radio-) chemical fundamentals relevant for uranium handling, radiaoctive decay and its detection; (6-9) methods of uranium mining, separation of uranium from the ore, enrichment of uranium (diffusion cells, ultra-centrifuges, alternative methods), chemical conversion uranium oxid - fluorid - oxid, fuel rod fabrication processes, fuel reprocessing (hydrochemical, pyrochemical) including modern developments of deep partitioning as well as methods to treat and minimize the amount and radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. (10-13) nuclear waste disposal, waste categories and origin, geological and engineered barriers in deep geological repositories, the project of a deep geological disposal for radioactive waste in Switzerland

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture slides will be distributed as handouts and in digital form

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Fuel Cycle and Waste Management
  • Thu 10:15-12:00 (HG D 3.2)
2 h weekly
exercise Fuel Cycle and Waste Management
  • Thu 12:15-13:00 (HG D 3.2)
1 h weekly

Offered In

  • Mechanical Engineering Master
  • Energy Science and Technology Master
    • Electives (These courses are particularly recommended, other ETH-courses from the field of Energy Science and Technology at large may be chosen in accordance with your tutor.)
  • Physics Master
    • Electives
      • General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))
  • Nuclear Engineering Master (MSc Nuclear Engineering is a joint program of EPF Lausanne and ETH Zurich. The first semester takes place in Lausanne. Students therefore have to enroll at EPFL. For more information about the curriculum and courses see: )