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

Pelletized Waste Form Demonstration Program: April-September 1979

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5748540

During the last half of FY-1979, feasibility studies involving hot pilot-scale experiments were conducted. Sludge from the defense cyclone incinerator system was calcined and then successfully immobilized in a Portland cement matrix. This was accomplished mainly through a designed experiment in which the effects of seven variables upon compressive strength were studied. Physical and chemical properties of the sludge were also determined. Leachability and radiolysis testing of ash/cement and sludge/cement pellets was done at Mound Facility, and offsite radiolysis tests were completed at Savannah River Laboratory. Leachability data obtained indicate that leach rates are greater at ambient temperature than at 70/sup 0/C. The leach rates were very small with < 0.01% of the PuO/sub 2/ leached after 20 days. Radiolysis results from SRL indicated a very low hydrogen gas generation rate, G/sub(H/sub 2/)/, caused by radiolysis of water present in pellets. Recent irradiation tests at Mound verify these results, and pressed waste/cement pellets appear to be an excellent waste form based on low gas generation rates.

Research Organization:
Mound Facility, Miamisburg, OH (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0053
OSTI ID:
5748540
Report Number(s):
MLM-2670
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English