The Idaho HLW technology program, Progress in HLW disposal strategy and glass-ceramic waste form development
Irradiated nuclear fuel has been reprocessed at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) since 1951 to recover uranium-235 and krypton-85 and the resulting mixed hazardous and high-level waste (HLW) has been solidified to a calcine since 1963. The Idaho HLW Technology program is evaluating options for a strategy for final disposal for ICPP HLW and is performing research to develop a reference product and process for the immobilization of ICPP HLW for repository disposal. The volume of ICPP HLW projected for future annual generation is expected to increase by four-fold compared to historical processing rates. Using existing technology, a glass waste form containing 33 wt % calcine would fill approximately 1700 canisters/yr (0.63 m{sup 3}/canister) based on projected average annual waste generation rates. Thus, research is focusing on technologies that can reduce the volume of immobilized HLW, including a glass-ceramic waste form and other processes to minimize waste volume prior to immobilization. This paper describes the regulatory factors which impact future mixed hazardous/HLW management at ICPP and identifies a potential reference strategy which could be used for environmental evaluations. The characteristics of one of the candidate waste forms for immobilizing ICPP calcine, a glass-ceramic, is described, including waste loading, crystalline phase identity and leach rates.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Idaho Nuclear Co., Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-84ID12435
- OSTI ID:
- 5041355
- Report Number(s):
- WINCO-11618; CONF-900977--14; ON: DE92017494
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BOROSILICATE GLASS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
FABRICATION
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
GLASS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HOT PRESSING
IDAHO CHEMICAL PROCESSING PLANT
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS WORKING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PRESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VITRIFICATION
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES