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CourseCivil, Rail & Smart Cities Enrolment open

Course in Immobilisation Technologies: Vitrification and Cementation

Online 300-hour course in immobilisation technologies: vitrification and cementation. 6 modules covering IAEA GSR Part 5 (management prior to waste disposal), IAEA SSR-5 (final disposal of radioactive waste) and PHREEQC. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the vitrification and cementation processes.

02

Select the immobilisation matrix according to the type of waste.

03

Characterise the properties of glasses and mortars.

04

Apply standardised leaching tests.

05

Model long-term chemical durability.

06

Relate acceptance criteria to final storage.

07

Propose a matrix formulation for an academic case.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Waste conditioning engineer seeking to specialise in Immobilisation Technologies: Vitrification and Cementation.
  • Materials for waste researcher seeking to specialise in Immobilisation Technologies: Vitrification and Cementation.
  • Materials laboratory technician seeking to specialise in Immobilisation Technologies: Vitrification and Cementation.
  • Vitrification process engineer seeking to specialise in Immobilisation Technologies: Vitrification and Cementation.
  • Package quality control technician seeking to specialise in Immobilisation Technologies: Vitrification and Cementation.
  • Nuclear chemical engineer seeking to specialise in Immobilisation Technologies: Vitrification and Cementation.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter radioactive waste management.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IAEA GSR Part 5 (management prior to waste disposal)
  • IAEA SSR-5 (final disposal of radioactive waste)
  • ASTM C1285 (product consistency test, PCT)
  • ANSI/ANS-16.1 (leachability of solidified waste)
  • ISO 6961 (long-term leaching of solidified waste)
  • EN 197-1 (common cements)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Functions of the immobilisation matrix
  2. 1.2Radionuclide retention and leaching
  3. 1.3Mechanical, thermal and radiation resistance
  4. 1.4Storage acceptance criteria
  5. 1.5Waste candidates for each technology
  6. 1.6Chemical compatibility between waste and matrix
  7. 1.7Applicable standards and guidance
  8. 1.8Lifecycle of the conditioned package
  9. 1.9General comparison between vitrification and cementation
  10. 1.10Exercise: matching wastes with matrices
  1. 2.1Cement chemistry and hydration products
  2. 2.2Types of cement and additives used
  3. 2.3Water-to-cement ratio and workability
  4. 2.4Drum mixing and in-line mixing
  5. 2.5Problems: setting, bleeding and cracking
  6. 2.6Wastes that interfere with setting
  7. 2.7Immobilisation of resins, sludges and liquids
  8. 2.8Strength and leaching tests
  9. 2.9Production quality control
  10. 2.10Practice: design a formulation and test it
  1. 3.1Glass structure and the role of network formers
  2. 3.2Borosilicate glasses and their composition
  3. 3.3Incorporation of waste oxides and loading limits
  4. 3.4Melting furnaces and induction melting
  5. 3.5Vitrification in a crucible and in a calciner
  6. 3.6Temperature and viscosity control
  7. 3.7Pouring into a container and cooling
  8. 3.8Unwanted crystallisation and phase separation
  9. 3.9Long-term glass durability
  10. 3.10Practice: calculate a glass composition
  1. 4.1Geopolymers and alkali-activated cements
  2. 4.2Ceramic and crystalline ceramic matrices
  3. 4.3Encapsulation in polymers and bitumen
  4. 4.4Metal matrices and metal melting
  5. 4.5Sintering and hot pressing
  6. 4.6Selection criteria between alternatives
  7. 4.7Technological maturity of each option
  8. 4.8Problematic wastes without an established solution
  9. 4.9Relative costs of each technology
  10. 4.10Practice: comparative analysis for a waste
  1. 5.1Standardised leaching tests
  2. 5.2Mechanical and compression tests
  3. 5.3Resistance to thermal cycling and freeze-thaw
  4. 5.4Stability under irradiation
  5. 5.5Biological and chemical resistance
  6. 5.6Product homogeneity and voids
  7. 5.7Non-destructive verification of the package
  8. 5.8Documentation of process qualification
  9. 5.9Acceptance by the storage operator
  10. 5.10Practice: a process qualification plan
  1. 6.1Choice of the waste and its characteristics
  2. 6.2Applicable acceptance criteria
  3. 6.3Justified selection of the matrix
  4. 6.4Design of the formulation or composition
  5. 6.5Design of the industrial process and facility
  6. 6.6Testing and qualification plan
  7. 6.7Quality control in production
  8. 6.8Estimation of costs and secondary waste
  9. 6.9Technical report
  10. 6.10Project defence
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: the student progresses at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PHREEQC, GEM-Selektor, Thermo-Calc, COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for matrix leaching tests, characterisation of glasses and mortars, and package durability tests. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with a track record in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Choice of the waste and its characteristics

Describe the vitrification and cementation processes.

Applicable acceptance criteria

Select the immobilisation matrix according to the type of waste.

Justified selection of the matrix

Characterise the properties of glasses and mortars.

Design of the formulation or composition

Apply standardised leaching tests.

Design of the industrial process and facility

Model long-term chemical durability.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Waste conditioning engineerMaterials for waste researcherMaterials laboratory technicianVitrification process engineerPackage quality control technicianNuclear chemical engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

The course works with PHREEQC, GEM-Selektor, Thermo-Calc and COMSOL Multiphysics. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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