Radiation effects in solidified high-level waste. Part I. Stored energy
Buildup and release behavior of radiation-induced stored energy was investigated for several synthetic solidified high-level waste forms: two borosilicate glass formulations, calcine, calcine on Al$sub 2$$O$$sub 3$, and a hot press compact of 50 percent waste oxide--50 percent quartz. Fused silica and Al$sub 2$$O$$sub 3$, without waste oxides, were also investigated. Average heat capacities of some of the materials were also measured. The materials were irradiated either by internal alpha radiation $sup 244$Cm or by neutron irradiation in ORR. The irradiations simulated the effects resulting from self- irradiation of the waste for storage periods up to nearly 1000 years for wastes from PWR-UO$sub 2$ fuel [equivalent to periods of approximately 10 years for mixed wastes from UO$sub 2$ fuel ($sup 2$$/$$sub 3$) and plutonium recycle fuel ($sup 1$$/$$sub 3$)]. Results showed that the amounts of stored energy over a period of about 10 years at relatively low storage temperatures following reprocessing are such that only moderate temperature increases (less than 200$sup 0$C) in the wastes would occur in the event of sudden release of the stored energy. Extrapolation to longer storage times in a geologic repository indicated that saturation of energy storage would occur at 50 cal/g or less for each of the waste types; the $delta$T corresponding to release of 50 cal/g would be about 250$sup 0$ for most of the waste types. The experimental results also showed no apparent way in which a sudden release could occur except as a result of sudden large increases in waste temperature caused by a heat source other than the stored energy.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(45-1)-1830
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-023873
- OSTI ID:
- 4058327
- Report Number(s):
- BNWL--1944
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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