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Kinetic Studies of Natural Uranium Minerals for the Long-Term Evolution of Spent Nuclear Fuel Under Oxidizing Conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1992

Ignasi Casas
Affiliation:
MBT TA, Parc Tecnològic del Vallés (CENT), Cerdanyola, 08290, Spain
E. Cera
Affiliation:
MBT TA, Parc Tecnològic del Vallés (CENT), Cerdanyola, 08290, Spain
J. Bruno
Affiliation:
MBT TA, Parc Tecnològic del Vallés (CENT), Cerdanyola, 08290, Spain
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Abstract

The time scale of spent fuel dissolution studies is of the order of magnitude of 2 to 10 years, while the performance of a spent fuel repository should be assessed for much longer times (105-106 years). These time scales can be bridged using appropriate natural analogues. Among other important information, the study of natural systems can give insight of which can be the oxidative alteration of spent fuel in granitic environments. However, in studying such systems, thermodynamic and kinetic data of relevant natural solid phases are needed.

In this work we present preliminary results of dissolution experiments carried out under oxidizing conditions with selected and well characterized natural samples of the alteration chain of uraninite (i.e., uraninite, schoepite, uranophane).

The experiments have been performed using a synthetic granitic groundwater as a leachant, in contact with air and at 25 °C.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1993

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References

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