Systems approach to nuclear waste glass development

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5262794

Jantzen, C M

Development of a host solid for the immobilization of nuclear waste has focused on various vitreous wasteforms. The systems approach requires that parameters affecting product performance and processing be considered simultaneously. Application of the systems approach indicates that borosilicate glasses are, overall, the most suitable glasses for the immobilization of nuclear waste. Phosphate glasses are highly durable; but the glass melts are highly corrosive and the glasses have poor thermal stability and low solubility for many waste components. High-silica glasses have good chemical durability, thermal stability, and mechanical stability, but the associated high melting temperatures increase volatilization of hazardous species in the waste. Borosilicate glasses are chemically durable and are stable both thermally and mechanically. The borosilicate melts are generally less corrosive than commercial glasses, and the melt temperature miimizes excessive volatility of hazardous species. Optimization of borosilicate waste glass formulations has led to their acceptance as the reference nuclear wasteform in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, and Japan.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 5262794
• Report Number(s): DP-MS-85-72; CONF-860769-1; ON: DE86015690
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BOROSILICATE GLASS
CERAMICS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DIAGRAMS
GLASS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MATERIALS
PHASE DIAGRAMS
PHOSPHATE GLASS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
WASTE FORMS
WASTES