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Title: Effects of radial temperature gradients on glass fracture in simulated high-level waste canisters

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6259505

The Pacific Northwest Laboratory performed experiments on canisters of simulated high-level waste (HLW) glass to estimate the effects of radial temperature gradients on the degree of glass fracture in actual HLW canisters. Glass cracking may result in an increased amount of fine glass particles that are of concern in transportation and repository safety analyses. A test matrix was developed to examine the effect of air cooling, water quenching, and internal fins on canister cooling rates, radial temperature gradients, glass cracking levels, and particle size distributions. The data show the reduction of radial temperature gradients to be important in reducing the amount of waste glass fracturing. Cracking profiles show that internal carbon steel fins significantly decrease the degree of fracture. Different cooling rates only affect the amount of particles above a certain size. The amount of particles below that size depends on the interaction between the glass and canister. 4 references, 5 figures, 1 table.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
6259505
Report Number(s):
PNL-SA-12360; CONF-841157-54; ON: DE85005291
Resource Relation:
Conference: Symposium on the scientific basis for nuclear waste management, Boston, MA, USA, 26 Nov 1984; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English