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Behavior of plutonium and americium during vitrification of model high-level wastes in glass-like phosphate compounds of variable composition

Journal Article · · Radiochemistry
OSTI ID:224070

The behavior of alpha-radionuclides was studied in the process of incorporation of liquid model high-level wastes (HLW) in phosphate compositions. The authors have demonstrated with {sup 239}Pu and {sup 241}Am. that distribution of plutonium and americium in the volume of the materials solidified is determined by the composition of the liquid HLW and the chosen matrix and also by conditions of vitrification. Using alpha-radiography, gamma-spectrometry, X-ray analysis, and other methods, the authors determined solubility levels for plutonium, distribution of plutonium and americium over the volume of the glass blocks produced, and the phase composition of HLW component-based heterogeneous systems formed in melts. The results of the studies show a limited solubility of plutonium in glass-like phosphate compositions.

OSTI ID:
224070
Journal Information:
Radiochemistry, Journal Name: Radiochemistry Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 37; ISSN RDIOEO; ISSN 1066-3622
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English