LIFD Academic Staff Spotlight: Prof Tim Hunter
Prof Tim Hunter, Chemical and Process Engineering, Deputy Director LIFD
Background
My background is in colloid science and minerals engineering from my time in Australia. Since moving to the UK (over 15 years ago now!) my work has focused on applied fluid dynamics and particle science in the nuclear sector and other related industries - specifically optimising waste processing and effluent treatment.
Research expertise
My expertise is largely in separation operations; either solid-liquid separations (such as settling and flotation) or heavy metals and organics abatement (in particular, ion exchange and solvent extraction). I have also investigated different techniques for remote process monitoring of multiphase flows, such as the use of ultrasound backscatter.
Current research interests
I am currently interested in process intensification (PI) techniques, where we think about step-changes in process unit design to drive significant increases in efficiency and modularisation. The understanding of complex multiphase fluid dynamics is critical to evaluation of PI systems (e.g., micro-channel reactors or agitated reactors). I am also studying the build-up and release of hydrogen within nuclear wastes, which is created from radiolysis and corrosion. This issue is a vital safety concern on nuclear sites, and understanding these dynamics will help with much improved safety case assessment.
Are there any projects you are involved in at the moment that you would like to share?
On a recent project, we investigated an agitated tubular reactor (ATR) as a modular co-precipitation unit to remove ceasium and strontium from nuclear effluents. The high space-time efficiency of the reactor coupled with its unique agitation mechanism, generated dense and compact aggregates that could be easily filtered and dewatered. This work highlighted the ATRs ability to act as a modular treatment system for industrial effluents. Link for further reading - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2024.110077
Do you have any key industry partnerships and what benefit have they brought to you/you to them? Any advice on how to engage with industry?
I work a lot with Sellafield Ltd (who are the largest nuclear site operator in the UK). They support our work through two funded Centres of Expertise that allow us to collaborate on a variety of PhD projects and other contract research. This relationship has been built over many years and means we can focus on longer term real-world impact of our team’s work.
What do you see as the next big development areas for your discipline area?
In nuclear fission, it is most certainly small modular reactors (SMRs), which are really an attempt at process intensification of nuclear power generation. These will require coupled intensified effluent and waste treatment systems. Nuclear fusion is also a technology that is finally after many decades moving towards a state of maturity. We are looking at advanced solvent extraction systems to enrich lithium-6 that is needed to produce tritium for fusion reactors.