A Versatile two-step process for immobilizing excess plutonium.
As a consequence of weapon stockpile reduction and the associated shutdown of weapons production facilities, approximately 50 metric tons of plutonium (both weapons-grade and non-weapons-grade) has been declared excess by the US. Recent experiments demonstrated the feasibility of using high-level waste stored at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant to immobilize plutonium. The most effective plutonium host phase identified in these experiments was a plutonium zirconate solid solution. Results of recent experiments are reported that show the feasibility of using the highly durable plutonium zirconate host phase as a feed material for high and low temperature encapsulation processes, thereby increasing the potential applications of this material for plutonium dispositioning.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 10798
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ED/CP-96423; TRN: US0103852
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 100th Annual Meeting of the American Ceramic Society, Cincinnati, OH (US), 05/03/1998--05/08/1998; Other Information: PBD: 18 May 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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