THE DISPOSAL OF FISSION PRODUCTS IN GLASS
The disposal of fission products as components of a durable glass offers great promise as a method by which acceptable content may be achieved at reasonable cost. The glass which has been studied most thoroughly at Chalk River is based on the glass-forming rock, nepheline syenite, suitable fluxed with lime. The rate of release of fission products from this glass to water is very low. For a typical glass containing 85 wt.% nephehine syenite and 15% lime, the measured rate of release of cesium-137 is equivalent to dissolution of about 10/ sup -7/ grams of glass per square centimeter per day. The method of conventing waste solution to glass involves a simple mixing of the dry, glassforming materials with the solution of fission products in concentratod nitric acid; this solution may also contain dissolved sheathing materials. The components react to form a gel which can be dried and denitrated without giving rise to severe entrainment or dust. The mixture is melted at 1350 deg C and when coolod forms a glass. An extensive preliminary appraisal of methods of storing glass containing fission products was made, and it appears that storage can be accomplished at a cost under 0.01 mills per kwh. If the very low leaching rates achieved in the glass are not acceptable for the burial of megacuries of fission products in contact with ground water, dry storage can be provided. Several methods have been considered for the dissipation of heat generated in the glass by fission- product decay. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Chalk River, Ont.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-007059
- OSTI ID:
- 4264294
- Report Number(s):
- A/CONF.15/P/195
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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