Éléments chimiques à considérer dans l’aval du cycle nucléaire

Chemical elements to be considered in back end of nuclear cycle. Chemistry dealing with nuclear energy needs to know the chemical behaviour of many elements and radioelements (natural and artificial) under ionising radiation. Their isotopic composition depends on events that arise in nuclear reactors, where stable and radioactive nuclei are produced by nuclear processes. Fission of heavy nuclei gives fission products that are stable or radioactive isotopes of medium mass elements and neutrons. In the conditions prevailing in nuclear reactors, neutrons give isotopes of actinides and activation products, isotopes of various elements. Characteristics of their productions are given. About 40 elements are concerned. To cite this article: R. Guillaumont, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).