Management of Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Wastes by Incorporation into Water Extended Polyesters

Abstract

Two water extended polyester (WEP) resins were prepared and used as incorporation media for simulated spent ion exchange resin used at the Inshas Reactor (Egypt). The suitability of the final waste forms to fulfil the requirements needed for the final disposal has been tested under different experimental conditions. Factors affecting the mechanical stability of the end products such as damp ion exchange resin/polymer ratio, styrene content, type and concentration of initiator were investigated. Radiation stability of polymer waste forms incorporating inactive resin was studied. The samples showed a significant increase in compressive strength values with an increase in irradiation dose, until a maximum is reached at a dose rate of 2.5 x 10 8 rads. At higher irradiation doses the values decreased, but they were still higher than those of unirradiated ones. The resistance of WEP resins as well as their final waste forms to most chemical environments was excellent. Oxygen index values illustrated the flame retardancy of WEP waste forms. Leaching experiments on incorporated blocks of active resin labelled with Cs-137 and Co-60 showed that improved leach resistance was obtained by using deionized water at University of Manitoba Libraries on June 14, 2015 jep.sagepub.com Downloaded from 364 as the leaching solution rather than underground water. The leach factors for Cs-137 were always higher than those for Co-60 using either leachants.

Chemical stability of seven years aged cement–PET composite waste form containing radioactive borate waste simulates

“…The stable emulsion was cured by addition 2% from the prepared WEP by weight Bz 2 O 2 as a catalyst. More details for the preparation and the properties of WEP were reported previously [15,16].…”

Preparation and characterization of water‐extended polyester based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)

“…The highest values for the compressive strength were obtained with composites with the lowest water percentage (20 wt %). It has been reported previously8–10 that the properties of cured polyester composites vary with the water content.…”

“…The use of water as an extender offers important advantages, such as lower cost, lower density, reduced flammability, moderation of the exothermic cure temperature, and ease of mixing and dispensing liquid ingredients 1. Ikladious et al10 examined two types of WEPs as an alternate method of cementing for the immobilization of aqueous radioactive wastes. The mechanical properties, radiation stability, and mechanical resistance appeared to be good.…”