Crystalline ceramics: Waste forms for the disposal of weapons plutonium
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
At present, there are three seriously considered options for the disposition of excess weapons plutonium: (i) incorporation, partial burn-up and direct disposal of MOX-fuel; (ii) vitrification with defense waste and disposal as glass ``logs``; (iii) deep borehole disposal (National Academy of Sciences Report, 1994). The first two options provide a safeguard due to the high activity of fission products in the irradiated fuel and the defense waste. The latter option has only been examined in a preliminary manner, and the exact form of the plutonium has not been identified. In this paper, we review the potential for the immobilization of plutonium in highly durable crystalline ceramics apatite, pyrochlore, monazite and zircon. Based on available data, we propose zircon as the preferred crystalline ceramic for the permanent disposition of excess weapons plutonium.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 102506
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-26437; CONF-9505238-2; ON: DE95014640; TRN: 95:020284
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) international scientific exchange program advanced research workshop, St. Petersburg (Russian Federation), 14-17 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: May 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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