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Obsidians and Tektites: Natural Analogues for Water Diffusion in Nuclear Waste Glasses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

James J. Mazer ,
John K. Bates ,
Christopher M. Stevenson  and
C. R. Bradley
James J. Mazer
Affiliation:
Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
John K. Bates
Affiliation:
Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
Christopher M. Stevenson
Affiliation:
Archaeological Services Consultants, P. O. Box 02095, Columbus, OH 42302
C. R. Bradley
Affiliation:
Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
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Abstract

Molecular water diffusion in natural obsidians and tektite was investigated in vapor hydration tests performed between 75 and 230°C for up to 400 days. Reaction progress was monitored using measurements of the birefringent hydration layer, an alteration feature associated with strain caused by molecular water diffusion in obsidians. The hydration rate constants and temperature dependence of the reaction are strongly correlated with the logarithm of the initial total water content of the glass. These values have been quantified for conditions relevant to the potential Yucca Mountain repository. The low initial total water concentrations of Savannah River Lab nuclear waste glasses produced at the bench-top scale help to minimze the effects of molecular water diffusion in waste glasses. The results of this study indicate that molecular water diffusion does not dominate waste glass reactions under conditions considered in this study. However, it is unknown whether molecular water diffusion will be important under other reaction conditions, especially longer time periods.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 257: Symposium – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XV , 1991 , 513
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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References

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