Stabilization of compactible waste
This report summarizes the results of series of experiments performed to determine the feasibility of stabilizing compacted or compactible waste with polymers. The need for this work arose from problems encountered at disposal sites attributed to the instability of this waste in disposal. These studies are part of an experimental program conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) investigating methods for the improved solidification/stabilization of DOE low-level wastes. The approach taken in this study was to perform a series of survey type experiments using various polymerization systems to find the most economical and practical method for further in-depth studies. Compactible dry bulk waste was stabilized with two different monomer systems: styrene-trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and polyester-styrene, in laboratory-scale experiments. Stabilization was accomplished by wetting or soaking compactible waste (before or after compaction) with monomers, which were subsequently polymerized. Three stabilization methods are described. One involves the in-situ treatment of compacted waste with monomers in which a vacuum technique is used to introduce the binder into the waste. The second method involves the alternate placement and compaction of waste and binder into a disposal container. In the third method, the waste is treated before compaction by wetting the waste with the binder using a spraying technique. A series of samples stabilized at various binder-to-waste ratios were evaluated through water immersion and compression testing. Full-scale studies were conducted by stabilizing two 55-gallon drums of real compacted waste. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the integrity of compacted waste forms can be readily improved to ensure their long-term durability in disposal environments. 9 refs., 10 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 5963689
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-52126; ON: DE91010300
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
COMPACTING
STABILIZATION
POLYSTYRENE
BIODEGRADATION
COMPRESSION STRENGTH
BNL
CLASSIFICATION
FISSION PRODUCTS
INCINERATORS
PAPER
POLYMERIZATION
POLYMERS
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RUBBERS
SALTS
SAMPLING
SOLIDIFICATION
US DOE
VISCOSITY
VOID FRACTION
VOLUME
WASTE FORMS
WOOD
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLOTHING
DECOMPOSITION
ELASTOMERS
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLASTICS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYVINYLS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing
360603 - Materials- Properties