Solution-derived sodalite made with Si- and Ge-ethoxide precursors for immobilizing electrorefiner salt

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2016 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2015.11.011· OSTI ID:1255394

Riley, Brian J.; Lepry, William C.; Crum, Jarrod V.

Chlorosodalite has the general form of Na8(AlSiO4)6Cl2 and this paper describes experiments conducted to synthesize sodalite to immobilize a mixed chloride salt using solution-based techniques. Sodalites were made using different Group IV contributions from either Si(OC2H5)4 or Ge(OC2H5)4, NaAlO2, and a simulated spent electrorefiner salt solution containing a mixture of alkali, alkaline earth, and lanthanide chlorides. Additionally, 6 glass binders at low loadings of 5 mass% were evaluated as sintering aids for the consolidation process. The approach of using the organic Group IV additives can be used to produce large quantities of sodalite at room temperature and shows promise over a method where colloidal silica is used as the silica source. However, the small particle sizes inhibited densification during pressure-less sintering.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1255394
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-112411; 830403000
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Vol. 468; ISSN 0022-3115
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electrochemical waste forms
eutectic salt
sodalite