OPTIMIZATION OF HIGH-LEVEL WASTE LOADING IN A BOROSILICATE GLASS MATRIX BY USING CHEMICAL DURABILITY MODELING APPROACH.
OPTIMIZATION OF HIGH-LEVEL WASTE LOADING IN A BOROSILICATE GLASS MATRIX BY USING CHEMICAL DURABILITY MODELING APPROACH.

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Published: 2002

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A laboratory scale study was carried out on a set of 6 borosilicate waste glasses made from simulated high-level nuclear waste. The test matrix was designed to explore the composition region suitable for the long-term geologic disposal of high-temperature-and high-waste-containing glasses. The glass compositions were selected to achieve maximum waste loading without a sacrifice in glass durability. The relationship between glass composition and chemical durability was examined. The qualitative effect of increasing B2O3 content on the overall waste glass leaching behavior has also been addressed. The glass composition matrix was designed by systematically varying the factors: %waste loading and (SiO2+Frit):B2O3 ratio, with (SiO2:Frit) ratio being held constant. In order to assess the chemical durability, the Product Consistency Test (ASTM C-1285) was performed. Under PCT protocol, crushed glass was allowed to react with ASTM type I water under static conditions. All leachate solutions were analyzed by the technique; Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). A statistical regression technique was utilized to model the normalized release of the major soluble elements, Na, Si, and B, as a function of the individual as well as interactive chemical effects (B2O3, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, SiO2, SrO, Na2O, B2O3*SiO2, B2O3*Al2O3, Fe2O3*Na2O, Al2O3*Na2O, and MnO*SiO2). Geochemical modeling was performed using the computer code EQ3/6 to: (1) determine the saturation states of the possible silicate minerals, a-cristobalite and chalcedony; and (2) predict the most stable mineral phase based on the mineral thermodynamic data. Mineral/water interactions were analyzed by representing the resultant glass data on a Na-Al-Si-O-H stability diagram.

Performing a Chemical Durability Test on Radioactive High-level Nuclear Waste Glass
Performing a Chemical Durability Test on Radioactive High-level Nuclear Waste Glass

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Published: 1990

Total Pages: 31

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Savannah River Site (SRS), currently is storing (approximately)30 million gallons of highly radioactive nuclear wastes. The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) nearing completion at SRS will incorporate the radionuclides in these wastes into solid borosilicate glass for final disposal in a geologic repository. Because of the variability of the wastes in the tanks, borosilicate glasses of different compositions will be produced by the DWPF during the 20--25 years required to solidify all the wastes at SRS. A chemical durability test, the Product Consistency Test (PCT), has been developed at SRS to measure the consistency of the durability of these glasses. This paper describes the remote and hands-on procedures for performing the PCT on these radioactive glasses. Results will be presented that indicate the good precision of the PCT and indicate some of the chemistry involved in leaching radioactive elements from the glass. 9 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.

Optimization of High-level Waste Loading in a Borosilicate Glass Matrix by Using Chemical Durability Modeling Approach
Optimization of High-level Waste Loading in a Borosilicate Glass Matrix by Using Chemical Durability Modeling Approach

Author: Javeed Mohammad

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages:

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A laboratory scale study was carried out on a set of 6 borosilicate waste glasses made from simulated high-level nuclear waste. The test matrix was designed to explore the composition region suitable for the long-term geologic disposal of high-temperature-and high-waste-containing glasses. The glass compositions were selected to achieve maximum waste loading without a sacrifice in glass durability. The relationship between glass composition and chemical durability was examined. The qualitative effect of increasing B2O3 content on the overall waste glass leaching behavior has also been addressed. The glass composition matrix was designed by systematically varying the factors: %waste loading and (SiO2+Frit):B2O3 ratio, with (SiO2:Frit) ratio being held constant. In order to assess the chemical durability, the Product Consistency Test (ASTM C-1285) was performed. Under PCT protocol, crushed glass was allowed to react with ASTM type I water under static conditions. All leachate solutions were analyzed by the technique; Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). A statistical regression technique was utilized to model the normalized release of the major soluble elements, Na, Si, and B, as a function of the individual as well as interactive chemical effects (B2O3, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, SiO2, SrO, Na2O, B2O3*SiO2, B2O3*Al2O3, Fe2O3*Na2O, Al2O3*Na2O, and MnO*SiO2). Geochemical modeling was performed using the computer code EQ3/6 to: (1) determine the saturation states of the possible silicate minerals, a-cristobalite and chalcedony; and (2) predict the most stable mineral phase based on the mineral thermodynamic data. Mineral/water interactions were analyzed by representing the resultant glass data on a Na-Al-Si-O-H stability diagram.

Chemical Durability of Simulated Nuclear Glasses Containing Water
Chemical Durability of Simulated Nuclear Glasses Containing Water

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Published: 1995

Total Pages: 9

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The chemical durability of simulated nuclear waste glasses having different water contents was studied. Results from the product consistency test (PCT) showed that glass dissolution increased with water content in the glass. This trend was not observed during MCC-1 testing. This difference was attributed to the differences in reactions between glass and water. In the PCT, the glass network dissolution controlled the elemental releases, and water in the glass accelerated the reaction rate. On the other hand, alkali ion exchange with hydronium played an important role in the MCC-1. For the latter, the amount of water introduced into a leached layer from ion-exchange was found to be much greater than that of initially incorporated water in the glass. Hence, the initial water content has no effect on glass dissolution as measured by the MCC-1 test.

Final Technical Report
Final Technical Report

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Published: 1996

Total Pages: 80

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For isolation of nuclear wastes through the vitrification process, waste slurry is mixed with borosilicate based glass and remelted at high temperature. During these processes, water can enter into the final waste glass. It is known that water in silica and silicate glasses changes various glass properties, such as chemical durability, viscosity and electrical conductivity. These properties are very important for processing and assuring the quality and safety controls of the waste glasses. The objective of this project was to investigate the effect of water in the simulated nuclear waste glasses on various glass properties, including chemical durability, glass transition temperature, liquidus temperature, viscosity and electrical conductivity. This report summarizes the results of this investigation conducted at Rensselaer during the past one year.

Irradiation Effects on Borosilicate Waste Glasses
Irradiation Effects on Borosilicate Waste Glasses

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Published: 1980

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The effects of alpha decay on five borosilicate glasses containing simulated nuclear high-level waste oxides were studied. Irradiations carried out at room temperature were achieved by incorporating 1 to 8 wt % 244Cm2O3 in the glasses. Density changes and stored-energy build-up saturated at doses less than 2 x 1021 alpha decays/kg. Damage manifested by stored energy was completely annealed at 633°K. Positive and negative density changes were observed which never exceeded 1%. Irradiation had very little effect on mechanical strength or on chemical durability as measured by aqueous leach rates. Also, no effects were observed on the microstructure for vitreous waste glasses, although radiation-induced microcracking could be achieved on specimens that had been devitrified prior to irradiation.

High-level Nuclear Waste Borosilicate Glass
High-level Nuclear Waste Borosilicate Glass

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Published: 1992

Total Pages: 9

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With the imminent startup, in the United States, of facilities for vitrification of high-level nuclear waste, a document has been prepared that compiles the scientific basis for understanding the alteration of the waste glass products under the range of service conditions to which they may be exposed during storage, transportation, and eventual geologic disposal. A summary of selected parts of the content of this document is provided. Waste glass alterations in a geologic repository may include corrosion of the glass network due to groundwater and/or water vapor contact. Experimental testing results are described and interpreted in terms of the underlying chemical reactions and physical processes involved. The status of mechanistic modeling, which can be used for long-term predictions, is described and the remaining uncertainties associated with long-term simulations are summarized.