Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-rkxrd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-23T00:04:30.028Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Materials Interactions Test Method to Measure Radionuclide Release from Waste Forms Under Repository-Relevant Conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Richard G. Strickert
Affiliation:
Materials Characterization Center, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352
Robert L. Erikson
Affiliation:
Materials Characterization Center, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352
John W. Shade
Affiliation:
Materials Characterization Center, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352
Get access

Abstract

At the request of the Basalt Waste Isolation Project, the Materials Characterization Center has collected and developed a set of procedures for a waste form compliance test method (MCC-14.4). The purpose of the test is to measure the steady-state concentrations of specified radionuclides in solutions contacting a waste form material. The test method uses a crushed waste form and basalt material suspended in a synthetic basalt groundwater and agitated for up to three months at 150°C under anoxic conditions. Elemental and radioisotopic analyses are made on filtered and unfiltered aliquots of the solution. Replicate experiments are performed and simultaneous tests are conducted with an approved test material (ATM) to help ensure precise and reliable data for the actual waste form material. Various features of the test method, equipment, and test conditions are reviewed. Experimental testing using actinide-doped borosilicate glasses are also discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Environmental Protection Agency, “Environmental Standards for Management and Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level and Transuranic Radioactive Wastes”, 40 CFR Part 191, Federal Register Vol.47, No. 250, December 29, 1982, pp. 5819658206 (1982).Google Scholar
2 Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Geologic Repositories: Technical Criteria”, 10 CFR Part 60, Federal Register Vol.48, No. 120, June 21, 1983, pp. 2819428229 (1983).Google Scholar
3 Randklev, E., Draft Basalt Waste Isolation Project Waste Acceptance Requirements, SD-BWI-CR-018, Rockwell Hanford Operations, Richland, Washington (1983).Google Scholar
4 Basalt Waste Isolation Project, “Preparation of Standard Sieve Basalt from Basalt Monoliths”, Section C-4.15, Basalt Operating Procedures, RHO-BWIMA-4, Rockwell Hanford Operations, Richland, Washington (1982).Google Scholar
5 Basalt Waste Isolation Project, “Preparation of Basalt for Hydrothermal Testing”, Section C-4.16, Basalt Operating Procedures, RHO-BW-MA-4, Rockwell Hanford Operations, Richland, Washington (1982).Google Scholar
6 Materials Characterization Center, “MCC-2P Static, High-Temperature Leach Test Method”, Nuclear Waste Materials Handbook, DOE/TIC-11400, National Technical Information Center, Springfield, Virginia (1981).Google Scholar
7 Materials Characterization Center, MCC-3S Agitated Powder Leach Test, (Test Methods Submitted for Nuclear Waste Materials Handbook), PNL-3990, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington (1984).Google Scholar
8 Jones, T. E., Reference Material Chemistry – Synthetic Groundwater Formulation, RHO-BW-ST-37 P, Rockwell Hanford Operations, Richland, Washington (1982).Google Scholar
9 Mellinger, G. B. and Daniel, J. L., Approved Reference and Testing Materials for Use in Nuclear Waste Management Research and Development Programs, PNL-4955-1, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington (1983).Google Scholar