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Corrosion of Simulated Nuclear Waste Glass in a Gamma Radiation Field

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

H Yokoyama
Affiliation:
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-11-1, Iwato-kita, Komae-shi, Tokyo, 201 Japan
H-P Hermansson
Affiliation:
Studsvik Energiteknik AB, S-611 82 Nyköping, Sweden
H Christensen
Affiliation:
Studsvik Energiteknik AB, S-611 82 Nyköping, Sweden
I-K Björner
Affiliation:
Studsvik Energiteknik AB, S-611 82 Nyköping, Sweden
L Werme
Affiliation:
Svensk Kärnbränslehantering (SKB), S-102 48 Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract

Two types of simulated nuclear waste glasses were leached and simultaneously gamma-irradiated. The leachate pH was reduced through irradiation, which enhanced glass leaching at room temperature. In contrast, the pH was maintained almost neutral in the experiment at 90°C and the leach rates were about five times lower than those for the glass leached at 90°C but out of the radiation field. Most of the leach rates correlated with the final pH of the leachate. Ground water, granite and bentonite moderates the effect of gammairradiation, probably because of a buffering effect. Simultaneous weathering and irradiation could greatly change the surface morphology of the glass.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1985

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References

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