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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Applications of iron-enriched basalt to TMI radioactive waste disposal

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5363347
Iron-enriched basalt (IEB), a man-made analogue to natural basalt, has been investigated as a dissolution and immobilization medium for Three Mile Island (TMI) radioactive wastes. The research has focused on the ability of IEB, a glass-ceramic whose principal constituents are SiO/sub 2/, Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ + FeO, and Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, to contain TMI zeolites, resins, and core debris; and on the practical aspects of producing IEB on a large scale using a joule-heated melter. The retention of cesium and strontium during high-temperature processing of IEB and the leach rate of these species from IEB in 363 K deionized water have been investigated. Simulated TMI core debris (UO/sub 2/, zircaloy, and stainless steel) have been successfully dissolved in IEB by using an air bubbler to accelerate the dissolution process. Large-scale IEB castings (10 kg and 75 kg) incorporating simulated TMI wastes have been prepared using a 250 kg capacity joule-heated research melter. Subjecting the castings to a controlled cooling produced fine grained monoliths with almost no microcracks. 6 figures.
Research Organization:
EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-76ID01570
OSTI ID:
5363347
Report Number(s):
EGG-M-08282; CONF-820424-28; ON: DE82017764
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English