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Cementitious Wasteforms for Immobilization of Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Dawn Wellman ,
Chase Bovaird ,
Kent Parker ,
Elsa Cordova ,
Aaron Davis ,
Shas Mattigod ,
Laura Powers  and
Marcus Wood
Dawn Wellman
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Chase Bovaird
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Kent Parker
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Elsa Cordova
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Aaron Davis
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Shas Mattigod
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Laura Powers
Affiliation:
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., Northbrook, IL, U.S.A.
Marcus Wood
Affiliation:
CHPRC, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Solidification of low-activity wastes with cementitious materials is a widely accepted technique that contains and isolates waste from the hydrologic environment. The radionuclides I-129, Se-75, Tc-99, and U-238 are identified as long-term dose contributors. The anionic nature of these radionuclides in aqueous solutions allows them to readily leach into the subsurface environment. Any failure of concrete encasement may result in water intrusion and consequent mobilization of radionuclides from the waste packages via mass flow and/or diffusion into the surrounding subsurface environment. Assessing the long-term performance of waste grouts for encasement of radionuclides requires understanding the: 1) speciation and interaction of the radionuclides within the concrete wasteform, 2) diffusion of radionuclide species when contacted with vadose zone porewater or groundwater under environmentally relevant conditions, and 3) long-term durability and weathering of concrete waste forms. An improved understanding of the interactions of long-lived radionuclides in cementitious matrices will improve predictions of the long-term fate of these sequestered contaminants. An integrated laboratory investigation has been conducted including a: 1) multifaceted spectroscopic investigation to interrogate the speciation and interaction of radionuclides within concrete wasteforms, 2) solubility tests to quantify the stability of solid phases identified as radionuclide-controlling phases, 3) quantify the diffusion of radionuclides from concrete wasteforms into surrounding subsurface sediment under realistic moisture contents (4%, 7%, and 15% by weight moisture content), 4) quantify the long-term durability of concrete waste forms as a function environmental parameters relevant to depository conditions, and 5) identify the formation of secondary phases or processes (microcracking) that influence radionuclide retention. Data obtained from this investigation provides valuable information for understanding the speciation, behavior, and fate of radionuclides immobilized within concrete wasteforms under vadose zone conditions and underscores the necessity for robust, multi-disciplinary performance assessments for concrete waste forms.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1193: Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXIII , 2009 , 349
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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