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Title: Characterization of hydrofracture grouts for radionuclide migration

Journal Article · · Adv. Ceram.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6408990

Detailed characterization of hydrofracture grouts was performed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and ..beta..-..gamma.. autoradiography. Laboratory-produced samples containing simulated wastes as well as actual radioactive samples of hydrofracture grout sheets obtained by core drilling were examined in this work. X-ray diffraction results revealed that both laboratory-produced samples and a core-drilled sample consisted primarily of calcium carbonate phases. Both sample types contained very small amounts of strontium or cesium wastes, neither of which could be detected by microscopic techniques. The core-drilled sample contained radioactive /sup 90/Sr, /sup 137/Cs, and /sup 60/Co that could be detected by ..beta..-..gamma.. autoradiography. The autoradiograph revealed that these radionuclides were still present in the 20-year-old grout and that they had not migrated into the trapped shale fragments.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6408990
Journal Information:
Adv. Ceram.; (United States), Vol. 8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English