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Characterization of a Ceramic Waste Form Encapsulating Radioactive Electrorefiner Salt

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

T.L. Moschetti
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
W. Sinkler
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
T. DiSanto
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
M.H. Noy
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
A.R. Warren
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
D. Cummings
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
S.G. Johnson
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
K.M. Goff
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
K.J. Bateman
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
S.M. Frank
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory-West, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528
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Abstract

Argonne National Laboratory has developed a ceramic waste form to immobilize radioactive waste salt produced during the electrometallurgical treatment of spent fuel. The first ceramic waste forms that immobilize the radioactive waste salt have been produced. This study presents the first results from electron microscopy and durability testing of a ceramic waste form produced from that radioactive electrorefiner salt. The waste form consists of two primary phases: sodalite and glass. The sodalite phase appears to incorporate most of the alkali and alkaline earth fission products. Other fission products (rare earths and yttrium) tend to form a separate phase and are frequently associated with the actinides, which form mixed oxides. Seven-day leach test results are also presented.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

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References

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