Nuclear waste management. Quarterly progress report, April-June 1981

Abstract

This document is one of a series of technical progress reports designed to report on radioactive waste management programs at Pacific Northwest Laboratory. These programs are funded by the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Waste Management. Only programs in the scope of this document that have significant, reportable results are included.

Development and characterization of basalt-glass ceramics for the immobilization of transuranic wastes

“…The basalt glass ceramic is compared to other TRU nuclear waste forms on the basis of 28-day static leaching data in Table 15. The six waste forms were prepared with simulated TRU waste containing 239pu (Chikalla and Powell 1981). The basalt glass ceramic produced with 239pu is very similar to the non-radioactive material discussed here, although the Pu-containing material producea lower leach rates than those reported in Table 13.…”

“…Pu is released at the relatively slow rate comparable to that for Fe and Ti. The location of Pu in the structure could not be determined from alpha autoradiography, although it was found to be well dispersed on a macro scale (Chikalla and Powell 1981). The Pu may reside in one of the crystal phases, or it may exist as well dispersed Pu0 2 microcrystals in the residual glass phase.…”

Group IVB oxide enhancement of the iron‐enriched basalt waste form

“…A major reason given for improved leach resistance of glass-ceramic IEB over vitreous IEB is development of crystalline phases during cooling that deplete the residual glass phase of elements that affect leach resistance adversely, mainly alkali and alkaline-earth metal oxides, so that the S1O2 and AI2Ü3 contents of the residual glass are correspondingly enriched [4]. Glasses high in silica and alumina are known for their durability [5,6].…”