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The immobilization of chloride-containing actinide waste in a calcium phosphate ceramic host: ageing studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2011

B. L. Metcalfe ,
I. W. Donald ,
R. D. Scheele  and
D. M. Strachan
B. L. Metcalfe
Affiliation:
Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK
I. W. Donald
Affiliation:
Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK
R. D. Scheele
Affiliation:
Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK
D. M. Strachan
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
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Abstract

Immobilization of radioactive wastes arising from the pyrochemical reprocessing of Pu metal with calcium phosphate as the host material has been investigated. Initial studies in which non-active elements are substituted for the actinide elements present in the wastes demonstrated that effective immobilization of both the cations and chloride ions was achieved within the chlorapatite Ca5(PO4)3Cl, and spodiosite, Ca2(PO4)Cl, mineral phases produced during the solid state reaction between host and waste. Follow-up studies with radioactive simulated waste composed of CaCl2, PuCl3 and AmCl3have confirmed the viability of the process and the durability of the product in aqueous solution. More recently a study of the long-term radiological stability and chemical durability of the ceramic product has commenced in which accelerated ageing of the ceramic phases is being achieved through the replacement of the 239Pu (half life 24,360y) that is contained in the actual waste by the short lived isotope 238Pu (half life 86.4y). The preparation of non-active and active samples and the crystal phases formed in each system as determined with XRD are herein reported. Data are presented which show that there is no detectable change in the XRD pattern of the samples containing 238Pu after 532 days of ageing, corresponding to around 400 years of real time ageing employing 239Pu. The detailed effects of ageing on the crystal structure and on the chemical durability of samples in aqueous solution are reported.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 824: Symposium CC – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXVIII , 2004 , CC4.8
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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References

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