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Composition Effects on Viscosity and Chemical Durability of Simulated Plutonium Residue Glasses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2012

S. A. Bulkley
Affiliation:
New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York 14802
J. D. Vienna
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352
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Abstract

Vitrification is currently being explored as an option for plutonium (Pu) scrap and residue stabilization because of its ability to convert plutonium-bearing materials into a safe, durable, and accountable waste form with reduced need for safeguarding. To develop this glass, the effect of composition on key glass properties (viscosity and chemical durability) were measured. A one-component-at-a-time change test matrix with 36 glasses was designed. The viscosity is reported as the temperature at 5 Pas (T5), and the durability as the normalized release of boron and sodium (Гb and ГNa) from MCC-1 and PCT static leach tests and the negative logarithm of fractional aluminum and lithium release (-ln[fA1] and -ln[fLi]) from TCLP. The effects of Al2O3, B2O3, CaO, CeO2, Gd2O3, K2O, Li2O, MgO, Na2O, PbO, SiO2, SnO, TiO2, and ZrO2 were found to be linear for T5 and non-linear for chemical durability. T5 is increased most by the addition of SiO2 followed by Al2O3, and decreased most by Li2O followed by Na2O. MCC-1 ln[rB] and ln [rNa] are increased most by the addition of Li2O followed by MgO and decreased most by Al2O3 followed by ZrO2. PCT In[rB] and In[rNa] are increased most by the addition of MgO followed by B2O3 and decreased most by Al2O3 followed by SiO2. The relative effect of components on rB and rNa are similar for both PCT and MCC-1. TCLP -ln[fAl] and ln[fLi are increased most by the addition of SiO2 followed by SnO and decreased most by Li2O.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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