Cette étude concerne la préparation de nouveaux matériaux pour l'élimination catalytique d'un composé organique volatil (COV) : l'acide acétique. La décomposition de cette molécule gazeuse conduit à la formation de produits nocifs tels que le CO2, l'acétone et le formaldéhyde. En présence d'oxygène, des études antérieures ont mis en évidence le caractère réfractaire de l'acide acétique en milieux aqueux. En phase gaz, la dégradation de la molécule est améliorée en présence de catalyseurs basiques et réductibles tels que les oxydes mixtes MgAl. Ces matériaux ont été synthétisés via les méthodes co-précipitation (cp) et sol-gel (sg). Sur chaque catalyseur, du cérium est déposé en surface afin d'améliorer les propriétés réductrices initiales. Les échantillons MgAlCey_cp et MgAlCey_sg (y : 0,03% ; 0,07% ; 0,14% molaire) ont montré une augmentation de la capacité de stockage de l'oxygène (CSO) et du nombre de sites basiques forts dues à la multiplicité des espèces oxygènes (O22-, O2- et/ou O2-) de surface provenant de la cérine (CeO2). En effet, la basicité et la CSO des matériaux ont augmenté pour les catalyseurs MgAlCey_sg tandis que pour MgAlCey_cp un effet de synergie apparait. La réductibilité des solides semble être indépendante du mode de préparation initial. En revanche, le nombre de sites basiques est supérieur pour les catalyseurs MgAlCey_cp par rapport à MgAlCey_sg. Cette basicité accrue des catalyseurs co-précipités leur confère une activité supérieure mais limitée par la formation supposée de carbonates au cours de la réaction d'oxydation de l'acide acétique. Hormis la cérine, la meilleure activité est obtenue par les matériaux MgAlCe0,14_cp et MgAlCe0,14_sg. / This work is devoted to the preparation of the new materials for the catalytic removal of volatile organic compound (VOC) : acetic acid. Decomposition of this gaseous molecule generate dangerous products such as CO2, acetone and formaldehyde. Removing acetic acid in aqueous phase is more difficult than gas phase. In fact, the presence of basic and redox catalysts like mixed oxides MgAl improve the oxidation of acetic acid reaction. This catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation and sol-gel methods. On each catalyst, cerium is deposited on the surface in order to improve their reducibility. MgAlCey_cp and MgAlCey_sg catalysts (y : 0.03% ; 0.07% ; 0.14% molar) have shown the increase of oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and number of strong basic sites because of various oxygen species (O22-, O2- and/or O2-) located on the surface of the materials and provided by ceria (CeO2). In fact, oxygen storage capacity of these catalysts is increased for MgAlCey_sg whereas a synergy effect appears for MgAlCey_cp. The results have shown that the reducibility of the catalysts is not related to the initial preparation method. However, basicity of MgAlCey_cp catalysts is higher than MgAlCey_sg. This basicity gives a high activity to co-precipitated catalysts which is limited by possible formation of carbonates during the oxidation reaction of acetic acid. Except for ceria, the best activity is obtained by MgAlCe0.14_cp and MgAlCe0.14_sg catalysts.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第21122号 / 工博第4486号 / 新制||工||1697(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科分子工学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 庸裕, 教授 陰山 洋, 教授 佐藤 啓文 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

L’objectif de notre travail, était l’étude de deux classes de catalyseurs dans la réaction d’oxydation totale de COV. L’application visée étant la destruction à basse température de ces traces de polluants dans l’air. Des oxydes mixtes Co3O4-CeO2 ont été préparés par co-précipitation. Avec l’oxyde mixte (% atomique Co/Ce = 1), nous avons obtenu les meilleures performances catalytiques et montré que la réactivité étaient exaltée par une forte mobilité des oxygènes de coeur. Des catalyseurs à base d’or (2wt%) et de palladium (1wt%) ont été déposés sur des supports oxydes comme la cérine et le titane afin de favoriser une interaction métal support, ou sur un support alumine. Des solides à base d’alumine dopée au cérium, manganèse, fer et titane ont également été préparés. Pour l’or, l’évolution des performances catalytiques en fonction du support ont été les suivantes: Au2%/Al2O3 < Au2%/TiO2 < Au2%/CeO2, alors que pour le palladium nous avons obtenu les tendances suivantes : Pd1%/CeO2 < Pd1%/Al2O3 < Pd1%/TiO2. Pour l’Au, l’interaction métal support a permis d’expliquer les différences de réactivité alors que pour le palladium, l’activité est liée aux sites actifs de palladium Pd0/PdO présents à la surface. Avec les systèmes dopés, les résultats ont montré que les meilleurs catalyseurs étaient le Au2%/Ce5%/Al2O3 et le Pd1%/Ce5%/Al2O3. Cette exaltation a été attribuée à la grande mobilité des oxygènes en raison d’un défaut de structure induit par l’insertion des ions Al3+ au sein du réseau de la cérine et une forte interaction des particules très bien dispersées / The aim of the work was to study two classes of catalysts for the complete oxidation of volatile organic compounds. The target application for air pollution control is the total abatement of VOC at low temperature. Mixed oxide Co3O4-CeO2, were prepared by co-precipitation method. Among them, the mixed oxide corresponding to Co/Ce atomic ratio close to 1, was the best performing. The participation of surface oxygen species and high bulk mobile oxygen were the factors determining the high activity of Co30Ce in the total oxidation of propylene and toluene. Au (2wt%) and Pd (1wt%) catalysts were prepared over typical reducible oxides, such as CeO2 and TiO2. For comparison, catalysts over Al2O3, were also prepared. Moreover, the effect on the activity of Au and Pd supported over Al2O3 doped by cerium, manganese, iron and titanium was investigated. The so prepared Au and Pd catalysts were compared in the total oxidation of propylene. It was found that the activity of gold catalysts supported over un-doped oxides varied in the order: Au2%/Al2O3 < Au2%/TiO2 < Au2%/CeO2, while a different trend was observed for palladium catalysts: Pd1%/CeO2 < Pd1%/Al2O3 < Pd1%/TiO2. For Au catalysts, the nature of the support and the extent of interaction with the support are the key factors in determining the activity, whilst for the Pd supported ones, the activity seems to be governed by the nature of Pd species, Pd0/PdO, present in the catalyst. Au2%/Ce5%/Al2O3 and Pd1%/Ce5%/Al2O3 appear the best samples. The enhanced catalytic performances were attributed to high-oxygen mobility due to a defective ceria structure induced by the insertion of Al3+ ions into the lattice and also strong metal-support interaction between nanoparticles highly dispersed

Dans le but de fabriquer des combustibles de type oxyde mixte (MOX = (U,Pu)O2) pour les réacteurs nucléaires du futur, l‘ajout d‘un nouvel intrant, l‘octaoxyde de triuranium (U3O8), est envisagé. Ces travaux de thèse portent sur l'influence de cet ajout pendant le frittage du MOX, ainsi que sur la stabilité dimensionnelle des pastilles frittées lors de recuits. Ces premiers essais ont révélé une dé-densification à haute température des pastilles incorporant une poudre d'U3O8 lorsqu‘elle était issue d‘une synthèse oxalique.Ce phénomène indésirable a été étudié sur un simulant inactif : un oxyde de cérium synthétisé par voie oxalique, afin de développer les techniques expérimentales et les protocoles d‘analyse. Les résultats ont mis en évidence le lien entre la présence d‘impuretés carbonées et le phénomène de dé-densification. De plus, l‘évolution de la dé-densification a été observée pour la première fois, par micro-tomographie X in situ au cours du frittage.L‘étude appliquée au combustible MOX a confirmé le rôle majeur des impuretés carbonées lors du frittage. Les évolutions microstructurales, la quantification des espèces carbonées relâchées pendant le frittage et l‘analyse des gaz piégés dans les pores du matériau fritté ont de plus conduit à identifier un mécanisme de dé-densification. Enfin, une modélisation du comportement thermomécanique du combustible sous l‘effet de la pressurisation des pores, a permis de conforter le mécanisme envisagé. Fort de cette connaissance, un nouveau cycle de frittage a pu alors être proposé et mis en application avec succès pour limiter les effets de ce phénomène. / In order to manufacture mixed-oxide fuels, also known as MOX ((U,Pu)O2) for the next generation of nuclear reactors, the use of triuranium octoxide (U3O8) was considered in this study. This PhD work focuses on the impact of this addition on MOX sintering and on the dimensional stability of sintered pellets during annealing. Initial experiments revealed a de-densification phenomenon at high temperature in the pellets containing U3O8 synthesized from an oxalic route.This undesirable phenomenon was studied on an inactive surrogate: a cerium oxide synthesized from an oxalic route in order to develop experimental techniques and protocols. The relationship between the presence of carbon impurities in the powders and the de-densification phenomenon was proven. Moreover, this de-densification phenomenon was observed in situ for the first time by using X-ray microtomography during sintering.The study of MOX fuels confirmed the major role of carbon impurities. The microstructural evolutions, the quantification of the carbon species released during sintering and the analysis of gases trapped inside the porosity of the sintered material led to the determination of a de-densification mechanism. Finally, a thermomechanical modelling of the fuel behavior under the effect of pore pressurization allows consolidating the proposed mechanism. Based on these results, a new sintering cycle was proposed and the first trials successfully limited the impact of the de-densification phenomenon.

A incorporação do gadolínio diretamente no combustível de reatores nucleares para geração de eletricidade é importante para compensação da reatividade e para o ajuste da distribuição da densidade de potência, permitindo ciclos de queima mais longos, com intervalo de recarga de 18 meses, otimizando-se a utilização do combustível. A incorporação do Gd2O3 sob a forma de pó homogeneizado a seco diretamente com o pó de UO2 é o método comercialmente mais atraente devido à sua simplicidade . Contudo, este método de incorporação conduz a dificuldades na obtenção de corpos sinterizados com a densidade niínima especificada, devido a um bloqueio no processo de sinterização. Pouca informação existe na literatura específica sobre o possível mecanismo deste bloqueio, restrita principalmente à hipótese da formação de uma fase (U,Gd)O2 rica em gadolínio com baixa difusividade. Este trabalho tem como objetivo a investigação do mecanismo de bloqueio da sinterização neste sistema, contribuindo para o esclarecimento da causa deste bloqueio e na elaboração de possíveis soluções tecnológicas. Foi comprovado experimentalmente que o mecanismo responsável pelo bloqueio é baseado na formação de poros estáveis devido ao efeito Kirkendall, originados por ocasião da formação da solução sólida durante a etapa intermediária da sinterização, sendo difícil a sua eliminação posterior, nas etapas finais do processo de sinterização. Com base no conhecimento deste mecanismo, possíveis propostas são apresentadas na direção da solução tecnológica do problema de densificação característico do sistema UO2-Gd203. / The incorporation of gadolinium directly into nuclear power reactor fuel is important from the point of reactivity compensation and adjustment of power distribution enabling thus longer fliel cycles and optimized fuel utilization. The incorporation of Gd2O3 powder directly into the UO2 powder by dry mechanical blending is the most attractive process because of its simplicity. Nevertheless, processing by this method leads to difficulties while obtaining sintered pellets with the minimum required density. This is due to blockages during the sintering process. There is little information in published literature about the possible mechanism for this blockage and this is restricted to the hypothesis based on formation of a low difiiisivity Gd rich phase (U,Gd)O2. The objective of this investigation has been to study the blockage mechanism in this system during the sintering process, contributing thus, to clarify the cause for the blockage and to propose feasible technological solutions. Experimentally it has been shown that the blocking mechanism is based on pore formation because of the Kirkendall effect. Formation of a solid solution during the intermediate stage of sintering leads to formation of large pores, which are difficult to remove in the final stage of sintering. Based on this mechanism, technical solutions have been proposed to resolve densification problems in the UO2-Gd2O3 system.

Στην παρούσα διατριβή µελετάται η ανάπτυξη υποστηριγµένων καταλυτών Pt και καταλυτών (σύνθετων και απλών) µεταλλικών οξειδίων υποστηριγµένων σε γ-Al2O3 για την αντίδραση της οξείδωσης του τολουολίου σε χαµηλές θερµοκρασίες καθώς και η κινητική της εν λόγω αντίδρασης. Τα πειράµατα πραγµατοποιήθηκαν στην θερµοκρασιακή περιοχή 100-500oC µε τροφοδοσία αποτελούµενη από µίγµα 0.1% C7H8 σε αέρα. Η καταλυτική ενεργότητα των καταλυτών Pt/MxOy εξαρτάται από την φύση του φορέα (CeO2, TiO2, SiO2, Al2O3, La2O3, κ.λ.) µε το Pt/CeO2 να παρουσιάζει την µεγαλύτερη ενεργότητα σε χαµηλές θερµοκρασίες. H αύξηση της ποσότητας του Pt από 0.5% έως 5.0% οδηγεί σε σηµαντική µετατόπιση της καµπύλης µετατροπής του τολουολίου προς χαµηλότερες θερµοκρασίες, ενώ η συχνότητας αναστροφής του τολουολίου (TOF) δεν εξαρτάται από τη φόρτιση σε µέταλλο, τουλάχιστον για καταλύτες Pt. Τα αναγώγιµα µεταλλικά οξείδια, όπως η δηµήτρια, είναι ενεργά για την οξείδωση του τολουολίου και η καταλυτική τους ενεργότητα αυξάνεται µε αύξηση της ειδικής επιφάνειας. Ωστόσο, ο εγγενής ρυθµός ανά m2 επιφάνειας καταλύτη παραµένει ο ίδιος για όλα τα δείγµατα που δοκιµάστηκαν. Μελετήθηκε η καταλυτική συµπεριφορά διάφορων µεταλλικών οξειδίων υποστηριγµένων σε γ-Al2O3 (MxOy/Al2O3). Τα αποτελέσµατα δείχνουν ότι η διασπορά των MxOy σε αδρανή φορέα υψηλής επιφάνειας, όπως γ-Al2O3, οδηγεί σε καταλύτες που χαρακτηρίζονται από σχετικά µεγάλη καταλυτική δραστικότητα, η οποία είναι σηµαντικά υψηλότερη για τα αναγώγιµα από ότι για τα µη-αναγώγιµα. Η καταλυτική συµπεριφορά µπορεί να βελτιωθεί µε την κατάλληλη επιλογή της ποσότητας φόρτισης σε MxOy. Καλύτερη απόδοση σε αυτή την σειρά καταλυτών παρουσιάζουν οι καταλύτες 60%MnOx, 90%CeO2 και 5%CuO υποστηριγµένοι σε Al2O3, οι οποίοι, κάτω από τις παρούσες συνθήκες αντίδρασης, είναι ικανοί να επιτυγχάνουν ολική µετατροπή τολουολίου σε θερµοκρασίες χαµηλότερες από 350oC. Η προσθήκη του Pt σε MxOy/Al2O3 βελτιώνει σηµαντικά την καταλυτική συµπεριφορά των µη-αναγώγιµων MxOy, αλλά δεν µεταβάλλει, ουσιαστικά, την ενεργότητα των αναγώγιµων MxOy. Προκειµένου να βελτιωθεί περαιτέρω η καταλυτική συµπεριφορά µελετήθηκε η καταλυτική ενεργότητα σύνθετων οξειδίων µετάλλων (MxOy = CuO, CeO2, MnOx)διεσπαρµένων σε γ-Al2O3 για την αντίδραση της οξείδωση του τολουολίου. Τα αποτελέσµατα των πειραµάτων που πραγµατοποιήθηκαν στη θερµοκρασιακή περιοχή 150-450οC έδειξαν ότι η ενεργότητα των σύνθετων καταλυτών εξαρτάται σηµαντικά από τη φύση, τη φόρτιση και την αναγωγιµότητα των επιµέρους οξειδίων. Βέλτιστη καταλυτική συµπεριφορά παρατηρήθηκε για µικτά οξείδια 10%CuO-60%MnOx, 15%CuO-75%CeO2 και 30%MnOx-50%CeO2 σε γ-Al2O3, η ενεργότητα των οποίων είναι συγκρίσιµη µε τους καταλύτες διασπαρµένων ευγενών µετάλλων. Η συµπεριφορά των βέλτιστων σύνθετων καταλυτών σε σύγκριση µε τα επιµέρους απλά µεταλλικά οξείδια υποστηριγµένα στον ίδιο φορέα (γ-Al2O3) µελετήθηκε περαιτέρω. Μετρήσεις του εγγενούς ρυθµού που πραγµατοποιήθηκαν σε διαφορικές συνθήκες αντίδρασης έδειξαν ότι η ενεργότητα αυτών των υλικών είναι περισσότερο από µία τάξη µεγέθους υψηλότερη από αυτή των αντίστοιχων απλών οξειδίων, υποδεικνύοντας την ύπαρξη φαινοµένων συνέργειας. Τα αποτελέσµατα πειραµάτων XRD που ελήφθησαν από τους σύνθετους καταλύτες δεν έδειξαν το σχηµατισµό κάποιας καινούργιας φάσης σε σύγκριση µε τα αντίστοιχα απλά οξείδια. Οι αλληλεπιδράσεις µεταξύ των ενεργών φάσεων και του φορέα εξετάστηκαν µέσω τεχνικών TPD και TPO. Στα πειράµατα TPD παρατηρήθηκε ότι οι πιο ενεργοί καταλύτες είναι αυτοί που εκροφούν µεγαλύτερες ποσότητες τολουολίου και παραγάγουν περισσότερο CO2 ή/και σε χαµηλότερη θερµοκρασία. Τα πειράµατα TPO έδειξαν ότι οι βέλτιστοι καταλύτες παράγουν µικρότερες ποσότητες CO2. Η επίδραση της παρουσίας δεύτερου VOC (προπανίου) ή υδρατµών στην τροφοδοσία µελετήθηκε στους βέλτιστους σύνθετους καταλύτες. Τα αποτελέσµατα δείχνουν ότι η παρουσία του νερού ή του προπανίου επιδρά παρεµποδιστικά στην καύση του τολουολίου, η παρουσία του οποίου, γενικά, δεν επηρεάζει σηµαντικά την οξείδωση του προπανίου στους τρεις βέλτιστους καταλύτες. Η επίδραση της µερικής πίεσης του τολουολίου στον εγγενή ρυθµό της αντίδρασης µελετήθηκε µε χρήση των τριών βέλτιστων σύνθετων καταλυτών στην θερµοκρασιακή περιοχή 270-320oC. Η χρησιµοποιούµενη τροφοδοσία αποτελείται από 0.036– 0.341 (% κ.ο.) C7H8 και σταθερή συγκέντρωση οξυγόνου (20.9 κ.ο % O2). Τα αποτελέσµατα δείχνουν ότι ο ρυθµός της αντίδρασης αυξάνεται, άλλα όχι πολύ σηµαντικά, µε αύξηση της µερικής πίεσης του τολουολίου. Τα κινητικά αποτελέσµατα προσαρµόστηκαν σε εµπειρική εκθετική εξίσωση (Power Law), από την οποία προέκυψαν οι τάξεις των αντιδρώντων, η φαινόµενη ενέργεια ενεργοποίησης της αντίδρασης καθώς και η αντίστοιχη εξίσωση ρυθµού. Συµπεραίνεται ότι κατάλληλος συνδυασµός οξειδίων µετάλλων διεσπαρµένων σε γ-Al2O3 µπορεί να οδηγήσει στην ανάπτυξη καταλυτών µε ενεργότητα συγκρίσιµη µε αυτή των υποστηριγµένων καταλυτών ευγενών µετάλλων. / Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present at low concentrations in industrial waste streams are considered as significant air pollutants due to their toxic and malodorous nature, as well as their contribution to the formation of photochemical smog. Catalytic combustion over supported noble metal catalysts provides an effective method for the elimination of VOCs in exhaust gases and this technology seems to be able to satisfy strict emission standards. Efforts in this field are currently directed toward the development of cheaper, noble metal-free catalytic materials characterized by high activity at low temperatures and long-term stability under reaction conditions. In the present thesis, oxidation of toluene has been investigated over supported platinum catalysts as well as over single and mixed metal oxide (MxOy) catalysts dispersed on high surface γ-Al2O3. Catalysts were characterized with respect to their specific surface area (BET), metal dispersion (selective chemisorption of CO), phase composition and MxOy crystallite size (XRD) and reducibility (H2-TPR, CO-TPR). Catalytic performance for the title reaction was investigated in the temperature range of 100-500oC, using a feed composition consisting of 0.1% toluene in air. For Pt/MxOy catalysts, it has been found that catalytic performance depends on the nature of the support, with Pt/CeO2 being the most active catalyst at low temperatures. The intrinsic reaction rate per surface platinum atom does not depend on Pt loading (0.5-5 wt.%), at least for Pt/Al2O3 catalyst, but the global reaction rate increases with increase of exposed metallic surface area. Reducible metal oxides, such as ceria, are active for the title reaction and catalytic performance is improved significantly with increase of specific surface area (SSA). However, the intrinsic reaction rate per unit surface area is the same regardless of SSA. Dispersion of MxOy on high surface inert supports, such as Al2O3, results in materials with relatively high catalytic activity, which is considerably higher for reducible, compared to irreducible metal oxides. Catalytic performance of MxOy/Al2O3 catalysts can be optimized by proper selection of MxOy loading. Best performing catalysts of this series include 60%MnOx, 90%CeO2 and 5%CuO on Al2O3 which, under the present experimental conditions, are able to completely convert toluene toward CO2 at temperatures lower than 350oC. Dispersion of Pt on MxOy/Al2O3 catalysts improves significantly the catalytic performance of irreducible MxOy but does not alter appreciably activity of reducible MxOy/Al2O3 catalysts. The catalytic oxidation of toluene has been investigated also over single and composite metal oxide catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3. Catalysts were synthesized with the impregnation method and were characterized with respect to their specific surface area (BET method), crystalline mode and mean crystallite size (XRD technique), as well as with respect to their reducibility (temperature programmed reduction with H2 or CO). The effects of the nature, loading and composition of catalytic materials on their performance for VOC combustion has been investigated. Optimal results were obtained over Al2O3-supported CuO, CeO2, MnO2 catalysts and their mixtures. For certain metal oxide combinations, e.g., 10%CuO-60%MnOx, 15%CuO-75%CeO2 and 30%MnOx-50%CeO2, activity was found to be comparable to that of supported noble metal catalysts. Measurements of reaction rates under differential reaction conditions showed that specific activity of these materials was up to one order of magnitude higher, compared to that of the corresponding single metal oxides, implying that synergistic effects are operable. Results of XRD experiments did not show formation of new phases, but mixed oxide catalysts were found to exhibit a higher reducibility compared to catalysts consisting of the corresponding single metal oxides. The synergic effect of metal oxides interaction on the oxidation reaction was studied employing TPD and TPO techniques. The more active catalyst, the higher the amount of desorbed toluene and the higher the amount of CO2 production in the in the TPD experiments. The TPO experiments indicate that the optimized composite catalysts produce lower amounts of CO2 at lower temperature, compared to the corresponding single metal oxides. The influence of the presence of a second VOC (propane) or of water on the oxidation of toluene was also investigated. Results showed that the presence of water or propane in the feed results in a decrease of catalytic activity, while the presence of toluene doesn’t have any influence in the catalytic oxidation of propane over the optimized composite catalysts. The effect of partial pressure of toluene on the kinetic reaction rate has been investigated over the optimum composite catalysts in the 270–320oC range using a feed stream consisting of 0.036– 0.341 vol%C7H8 and a constant concentration of oxygen (20.9 vol% O2). Result showed that increasing the partial pressure of toluene leads to an increase of the reaction rate. The orders of the reaction with respect to reactants for the optimized catalysts were determined by fitting the experimental data to an empirical power-law rate expression according to which the reaction rate is given by the following relationships: 2.abtolOrkPp= (1) .0.aERTkke= (2) Results of the present study show that the catalytic performance of certain Al2O3-supported composite metal oxide catalysts is comparable to that of conventional supported noble metal catalysts. These materials could provide the basis for the development of cost-effective catalysts for combustion of VOCs present in waste gas streams.

Due to the increasing usage of Sn in different electronics, such as solders and in touchscreens, together with Boliden Rönnskärs increased intake of electronic waste as a secondaryraw material, a Zn-containing product called Zn-clinker has increasing amounts of Sn. TheZn-clinker is shipped to Boliden Zn-smelter in Odda, where the Zn-clinker is mixed in withcalcine (roasted concentrate) and leached in several steps. Since Zn-clinker is a product froma halogen removal in a clinker-furnace, the feed material (Mixed Oxide), for this furnace, wasalso investigated since there are plans to replace clinkering with soda-washing in the future.Most of the Sn ends up in the leaching residue which then is deposited in the mountaincaverns close by the Boliden Odda smelter. Boliden is studying the possibility to recoverPb/Ag and Sn content from the leaching residue and create a valuable by-product. Bystudying how the leaching of Sn behaves, together with a characterization of the materials, thefollowing question should be answered: “During which sulphuric acid leaching conditions, ofZn-clinker and Mixed Oxide, is the leaching of Sn minimized?” The leaching results for Zn-clinker showed that 8-10% Sn will leach out, despite changingtemperature, redox potential, time and pH. A characterization of the material with SEM-EDSand XRD-analysis was also conducted to see if Sn could be identified in any phases in thematerials. The studies provided enough evidence that Zn2SnO4 could be concluded to be themain phase in the leaching residue for Zn-clinker, a form that would not leach underconditions presented in this project. However, 8-10% of the Sn will come together with Feand when Fe leach out, so does Sn. The leaching results for Mixed Oxide pointed towards that different phases from them foundin Zn-clinker was present. Sn losses varied between 10-20% but raised to 47% whentemperature was changed to 80 °C during leaching. The SEM-EDS analysis showed that theidentified Sn-phases contained more Sn than in Zn-clinker and together with the leachingresults, a conclusion that Sn would mainly be found as SnO2 or SnO in the Mixed Oxide, butthere is still uncertainty about the distributions of these forms. Unfortunately half of the As leached out during the soda-washing for Mixed Oxide, creating aleachate with Cl, F and As that need to be taken care of. This could be challenging andpresenting a costly side-project for the route different from the Zn-clinker route used today.Another observation was that PbCO3 formed during the soda-washing, a phase that willconsume more sulphuric acid during leaching.

A incorporação do gadolínio diretamente no combustível de reatores nucleares para geração de eletricidade é importante para compensação da reatividade e para o ajuste da distribuição da densidade de potência, permitindo ciclos de queima mais longos, com intervalo de recarga de 18 meses, otimizando-se a utilização do combustível. A incorporação do Gd2O3 sob a forma de pó homogeneizado a seco diretamente com o pó de UO2 é o método comercialmente mais atraente devido à sua simplicidade . Contudo, este método de incorporação conduz a dificuldades na obtenção de corpos sinterizados com a densidade niínima especificada, devido a um bloqueio no processo de sinterização. Pouca informação existe na literatura específica sobre o possível mecanismo deste bloqueio, restrita principalmente à hipótese da formação de uma fase (U,Gd)O2 rica em gadolínio com baixa difusividade. Este trabalho tem como objetivo a investigação do mecanismo de bloqueio da sinterização neste sistema, contribuindo para o esclarecimento da causa deste bloqueio e na elaboração de possíveis soluções tecnológicas. Foi comprovado experimentalmente que o mecanismo responsável pelo bloqueio é baseado na formação de poros estáveis devido ao efeito Kirkendall, originados por ocasião da formação da solução sólida durante a etapa intermediária da sinterização, sendo difícil a sua eliminação posterior, nas etapas finais do processo de sinterização. Com base no conhecimento deste mecanismo, possíveis propostas são apresentadas na direção da solução tecnológica do problema de densificação característico do sistema UO2-Gd203. / The incorporation of gadolinium directly into nuclear power reactor fuel is important from the point of reactivity compensation and adjustment of power distribution enabling thus longer fliel cycles and optimized fuel utilization. The incorporation of Gd2O3 powder directly into the UO2 powder by dry mechanical blending is the most attractive process because of its simplicity. Nevertheless, processing by this method leads to difficulties while obtaining sintered pellets with the minimum required density. This is due to blockages during the sintering process. There is little information in published literature about the possible mechanism for this blockage and this is restricted to the hypothesis based on formation of a low difiiisivity Gd rich phase (U,Gd)O2. The objective of this investigation has been to study the blockage mechanism in this system during the sintering process, contributing thus, to clarify the cause for the blockage and to propose feasible technological solutions. Experimentally it has been shown that the blocking mechanism is based on pore formation because of the Kirkendall effect. Formation of a solid solution during the intermediate stage of sintering leads to formation of large pores, which are difficult to remove in the final stage of sintering. Based on this mechanism, technical solutions have been proposed to resolve densification problems in the UO2-Gd2O3 system.

Le recyclage du combustible nucléaire passe par la production de poudres d’oxydes mixtes (U,Pu)O₂. Un des principaux procédés utilisés pour obtenir ce type de poudre comporte une étape de calcination d’oxalates mixtes qui se décomposent en oxyde. Le contrôle des propriétés physico-chimiques de la poudre au cours du traitement thermique des oxalates (étape précédant la mise en forme des pastilles combustibles) requiert une attention particulière, car celles-ci auront une conséquence directe sur l’aptitude à la compaction et au frittage.Dans ce contexte, ces travaux traitent de l’évolution des caractéristiques des poudres, et de la cinétique des différentes étapes de décomposition les influençant, lors de la calcination des oxalates mixtes U-Ce (simulant U-Pu).Une étude expérimentale détaillée sur les caractéristiques morphologiques et texturales, notamment la surface spécifique, a été menée et a permis de dresser un schéma d’évolution de la poudre lors des différentes étapes de décomposition. De plus, les variations de la teneur en carbone au cours de la calcination ont aussi été étudiées. Ce travail a permis d’identifier les étapes de décomposition d’intérêt pour le contrôle des caractéristiques des poudres lors du procédé de calcination.Enfin, ces étapes réactionnelles d’intérêt ont fait l’objet d’une étude cinétique détaillée. Celle-ci a conduit à l’identification de modèles adaptés au système d’étude qui décrivent les phénomènes physiques et chimiques ayant lieu au cours de la décomposition. / Nuclear fuel recycling process includes production of mixed oxide powder as (U,Pu)O₂. One of the most common processes actually investigated to get this kind of powder involves a calcination step of mixed oxalate which decomposes in oxide products. Physical and chemical powder characteristics during oxalate heat treatment (taking place before pellet shaping step) need a special attention. In fact, powder properties can affect directly their sintering and compaction abilities.The aim of this work deals with the powder characteristics evolution and the decomposition kinetics of steps having an effect on them, during U-Ce mixed oxalate calcination (surrogate system of U-Pu couple).A detailed experimental study of morphological and textural characteristics, especially specific surface area, has been carried out. The results have enabled to achieve a textural evolution pattern during different steps of oxalate decomposition. Moreover, carbon content variations through heat treatment process have been studied. This experimental route point out the most interesting decomposition steps impacting powder characteristics during calcination.Finally, a kinetic study of these decomposition steps has been performed. This exercise led to suitable kinetic models describing physical and chemical phenomena taking place during oxalate thermal decomposition process.

Afin de développer une économie basée sur l'hydrogène, il est souhaitable de pouvoir le produire à partir de biogaz (CH4 and CO2) ou de gaz à effet de serre (GES). Le reformage à sec (DRM) et le reformage oxydant du méthane (ODRM) sont des voies prometteuses pour produire H2 et CO à partir des GES et suscitent une grande attention en raison de préoccupations environnementales. Ces réactions ont été étudiées à basse température (600 -700 ° C) sur des oxydes mixtes CeNiX(AlZ)OY, NiXMg2AlOY, et des catalyseurs supportés Ni/SBA-15. Diverses techniques physico-chimiques ont été utilisées pour caractériser les catalyseurs, tels que DRX, XPS, TPR et Raman. L’influence de différents paramètres a été examinée, telles que la température de réaction, le prétraitement sous H2, la teneur en Ni, la masse de catalyseur et les concentrations en réactifs. En particulier, les réactions ont été étudiées à 600 °C, sans dilution des réactifs et sur 10 mg de catalyseur. Les meilleures activités catalytiques et sélectivités sont obtenues sur des catalyseurs partiellement réduits à température appropriée. L'addition d'O2 augmente la conversion du CH4 mais diminue la conversion du CO2, et O2/CH4 =0,3 apparaît comme la condition optimisée en raison de l'activité et de la sélectivité élevées et de la faible formation de carbone. Enfin, un site actif impliquant des espèces Ni en interaction forte avec d'autres cations est proposé. Il est obtenu sur un catalyseur partiellement réduit formé pendant le traitement in situ sous H2 ou sous flux de CH4, il implique des lacunes anioniques, des espèces O2- et des cations / In order to develop a sustainable hydrogen economy, it is desirable to produce hydrogen from biogas (CH4 and CO2) or greenhouses gases (GHG). Dry reforming (DRM) and oxidative dry reforming of methane (ODRM) are promising routes to produce H2 and CO from GHG and have received much attention due environment concerns. Herein, these reactions were studied at low temperatures (600 -700 °C) over CeNiX(AlZ)OY, NiXMg2AlOY mixed oxides and Ni/SBA-15 supported catalysts. Various physico-chemical techniques were employed to characterize the catalysts, such as XRD, XPS, H2-TPR and Raman. The influences of different parameters were examined, such as reaction temperature, pretreatment in H2, Ni content, mass of catalyst and reactants concentration, in particular, at 600°C in harsh conditions (feed gases without dilution) on low mass of catalyst (10 mg). The best catalytic activity and selectivity are obtained on partially reduced catalysts at appropriate temperature. The addition of O2 increases CH4 conversion but decreases CO2 conversion, and O2/CH4 = 0.3 could be the optimized condition due to high activity, selectivity and low carbon formation. Finally, an active site involving Ni species in close interactions with other cations is proposed. It is related to a partially reduced catalyst involving anionic vacancies, O2- species, and cations, which is formed during the in situ H2 treatment or CH4 flow