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Leach Tests of Simulated Low-Level Transuranic Waste Forms Containing Transuranic Elements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Jane M. Welch ,
Claude W. Sill  and
John E. Flinn
Jane M. Welch
Affiliation:
EG&G Idaho, Inc., P. O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415
Claude W. Sill
Affiliation:
EG&G Idaho, Inc., P. O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415
John E. Flinn
Affiliation:
EG&G Idaho, Inc., P. O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415
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Abstract

Simulations of waste forms that might be produced by slagging pyrolysis incineration of low-level transuranic (TRU) wastes stored at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) have been fabricated containing the transuranic isotopes 237Np, 239pu, 24lAm, 244Cm at levels of approximately 1 μCi per gram of each.

Leach tests were performed using frit and vitrified monolithic specimens of average INEL TRU waste, portland cement monoliths made with frit as aggregate, and vitrified monoliths of INEL soil and simulated Rocky Flats sludge. Static leach tests were performed at 90, 70, 40, and 25°C in deionized water for up to 364 days. Leachates were analyzed for the TRU elements by alpha spectrometry. The following generalizations can be made:

1. Cemented frit and vitrified sludge waste forms produce leachates with the highest pHs (>11) and have the lowest TRU leach rates, 10−4 g/m2.d at 90°C.

2. Neptunium has a higher leach rate than the other three TRU elements by as much as two orders of magnitude for all waste forms tested except cemented frit.

3. Only the vitrified soil samples display a marked temperature dependence for leach rates of all four TRU elements.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 15: Symposium D – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management VI , 1982 , 603
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1983

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References

REFERENCES

1. Parson Co., R. M., Conceptual Design Report for Slagging Pyrolysis Incinerator Project, Volume 1-Design Description, 5942–SPI–05, May 1980.Google Scholar
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