Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-gvh9x Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-25T00:14:21.918Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Radiolytic Gas Generation in Chemically-bonded Iron Phosphate Ceramic Forms used for Immobilization of Plutonium Ash Residues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Albert S. Aloy
Affiliation:
V. G. Khlopin Radium Institute, 2-nd Murinskiy Ave., St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia
T.I. Kolycheva
Affiliation:
V. G. Khlopin Radium Institute, 2-nd Murinskiy Ave., St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia
D. A. Knecht
Affiliation:
Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, LMITCO, P.O. Box 1625 Idaho Falls, ID 83415
Y. Macheret
Affiliation:
Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, LMITCO, P.O. Box 1625 Idaho Falls, ID 83415
Get access

Abstract

Iron phosphate ceramic (IPC) samples were prepared with plutonium-238, and radiolytic gas generation was detennined for exposure times of up to 195 days. The specific activity of the synthesized IPC samples was 1.91 mCi/g. The composition of the generated gases was determined to contain mainly H, and lower amounts of O2, CO2 and CO. The molecular hydrogen G value (molecules of H2 per 100 eV absorbed dose) depended on the sample preparation methodology, ranging from 0.07 at 79 days for sample IPC-2 to 0.34 at 119 days for sample IPC-1. This difference could be due to different total amount (wt.%) of free water resulting in sample preparation. The leach rate data for radioactive and non-radioactive IPC samples obtained by the ANSI/ANS 16.1 procedure resulted in Leachability Indexes of 13.7 for Pu and 15.4 for Ce, above the NRC LLW acceptance minimum index of 6.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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

REFERENCES

1. Wagh, A.S., Singh, D., Jeong, S.Y., and Aloy, A.S., “Iron Phosphate Based Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramics for Mixed Waste Stabilization,” Proceedings of WM ‘97, CD ROM, March 2-6, 1997, WM Symposia, Tucson, AZ.Google Scholar
2. Seidel, B.R., Barber, D.B., Macheret, J., Aloy, A.S., and Knecht, D.A., “Applications of Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramics to Low-Temperature Stabilization of Ash,” Proceedings of WM ‘98, CD ROM, March 1-5, 1997, WM Symposia, Tucson, AZ.Google Scholar
3. Pikaev, A.K., Contemporary Radiation Chemistry. Solids and Polymers. Moscow, Nauka, 1987, 448 pages.Google Scholar
4. Brekhovskikh, S.M., Viktorova, Yu.N., Landa, M.L., Radiation Effects in Glasses. Moscow, Energoatomizdat, 1982, 184 pages.Google Scholar
5. Vereschinsky, I.V., Pukaev, A.K., Introduction into Radiation Chemistry, Moscow, Academy of Science of the Russian Federation, 1963, p. 27.Google Scholar
6. Barber, D.B., “Gas Generation in Magnesium-Phosphate Cement Solids Incorporating Plutonium-Containing Ash Residue,” Proceedings of Spectrum lsquo;98, Denver, American Nuclear Society (September 1998).Google Scholar
7. American National Standards Institute/American Nuclear Society, “American National Standard for Measurement of the Leachability of Solidified Low-Level Radioactive Wastes by a Short-Term Test Procedure,” ANSI/ANS 16.1-1986, April 14, 1986.Google Scholar
8. Low-Level Waste Management Branch, Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning, “Technical Position on Waste Form,” U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, January 1991.Google Scholar