Formation, characterization, and stability of plutonium (IV) colloid; A progress report

Conference · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:137514

Hobart, D E; Morris, D E; Palmer, P D; Newton, T W

Plutonium is expected to be a major component of the waste element package in any high-level nuclear waste repository. Plutonium(IV) is known to form colloids under chemical conditions similar to those found in typical groundwaters. In the event of a breach of a repository, these colloids represent a source of radionuclide transport to the far-field environment, in parallel with the transport of dissolved waste element species. In addition, the colloids may decompose or disaggregate into soluble ionic species. Thus, colloids represent an additional term in determining waste element solubility limits. A thorough characterization of the physical and chemical properties of these colloids under relevant conditions is essential to assess the concentration limits and transport mechanisms for the waste elements at the proposed Yucca Mountain Repository site. This report is concerned primarily with recent results obtained by the Yucca Mountain Project (YMP) Solubility Determination Task pertaining to the characterization of the structural and chemical properties of Pu(IV) colloid. Important results will be presented which provides further evidence that colloidal plutonium(IV) is structurally similar to plutonium dioxide and that colloidal plutonium(IV) is electrochemically reactive. 13 refs., 7 figs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States); Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 137514
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--89-2541; CONF-890928--1; ON: DE89015288
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
COLLOIDS
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
PH VALUE
PLUTONIUM
PRODUCTION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project