Chemistry

The chemistry area covers the three main fields of physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry.  Many of the capabilities are interlinked; for example decontamination problems and waste management issues involve radiochemical analysis capability.  Decommissioning and waste management problems also involve assessments of materials behaviour and require radiological services for on-site activity.

In the field of chemical analysis, specialised equipment is used in addition to conventional “bench-top” techniques, and this includes SEM, XRD, ICPMS, AA, FTIR, GCMS, and IC. 

Chemistry capabilities include:

• solutions to complex chemical problems using standard methods of thermodynamics and kinetics
• application of mathematical modelling to assess mass transport in chemical systems
• chemistry of aqueous solutions, eg cooling systems, boiler water
• decontamination methods evaluation
• assessment of radioactive waste management, eg option studies, waste characterisation
• decommissioning issues
• performance tests to qualify safety related equipment
• assessment of materials behaviour under irradiation
• theoretical diffusion studies and kinetics
• ion exchange testing and evaluation
• chemical analysis
• de-tritiation techniques
• alkali metal processing
• cement chemistry