PHREEQC Workshop

9th July – Afternoon Workshop

This short, focussed course is designed for students, researchers, and professionals interested in the aqueous corrosion of glasses, ceramics, and related materials. The course provides an introduction to using PHREEQC to design and analyse aqueous corrosion experiments, as well as predict their evolution.

Through interactive hands-on exercises using participants’ own laptops, attendees will gain practical experience with PHREEQC, including the implementation of GRAAL within the software. The course will also provide an overview of the purpose and capabilities of the ThermoChimie database, a recent history of key developments and some examples of benchmarking.

The program will be led by experts Liam Abrahamsen‑Mills, Sophie Cooper and Will Bower, who will share knowledge on various aspects and capabilities of PHREEQC, GRAAL and the ThermoChimie database.

Workshop Leaders

Sophie Cooper - UKNNL
Sophie Cooper is a chemical modeller at UKNNL, with a PhD in computational chemistry. Sophie’s experience is primarily in using atomistic modelling techniques such as DFT, as well as thermodynamic modelling techniques, for a range of actinide systems. She has experience using PHREEQC to develop combined thermodynamic and kinetic models to describe the dissolution of glass over geological timescales (GRAAL) as well as PHREEQC database development.

Liam Abrahamsen-Mills – UKNNL
Liam AbrahamsenMills is Technology Manager and a Fellow in Environmental Radiochemistry at UKNNL, with a PhD in radiochemistry and extensive experience in geochemical modelling for nuclear and environmental applications. He specialises in the use of PHREEQC to describe radionuclide reactions and transport in complex aqueous, mineral and engineered systems, including effluent treatment, environmental assessment and geological disposal.

His training approach focuses on linking modelling methods to fundamental chemical theory, while maintaining a strong emphasis on practical application. He places particular importance on understanding the limitations of geochemical models, and on how models must be developed alongside highquality experimental work to generate and validate the thermodynamic data on which they depend. Through this integrated approach, Liam aims to equip participants with the skills needed to apply modelling tools critically and effectively in real world research contexts.

Will Bower - NWS
Will is the Principal Research Manager in the Waste, Barriers & Pathways team at Nuclear Waste Services. His team focuses on providing a robust evidence-base to inform Concept Design and the Environmental Safety Case for a Geological Disposal Facility to dispose of the UK’s most hazardous radioactive wastes.

Booking A Place

Numbers are limited and in order to select those who wish to, and would be most eligible to attend, we request further information from you by completing the form below.

In order that we can finalise our numbers and planning, we ask you submit this form as soon as possible and no later than Monday 18th May.

The event will start with a sandwich lunch, at close of the main HHGW-26 event, to be held at Newnham College, and will run until approximately 6pm.  

Although free accommodation has been offered for the 6th-8th July for the main conference, an additional night’s accommodation at Selwyn College, would be charged to the participant, if this additional night’s stay is required. Please indicate your preference on the form.