Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Immobilization of high level waste in Synroc

Conference · · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6176344

Synroc, a polyphase titanate ceramic, is being developed in Australia as a second generation waste from for the immobilization of high-level waste (HLW) from nuclear plants. The waste form, produced by reactive hot-pressing, has excellent resistance to leaching and there is good evidence that the long-term release rate of elements from Synroc will be of the order of 10/sup /minus/4/ - 10/sup /minus/5/ g/m/sup 2/ per day at 90/degrees/C. The durability of Synroc is not affected significantly by impurities normally present in liquid waste from reprocessing operations and is not sensitive to fluctuations in the composition of waste-stream. Reducing conditions prevalent during Synroc fabrication ensure that the losses of volatiles such as Cs and Ru are restricted to levels of around 0.1% or better. The important physical properties of Synroc are also superior to those of current generation waste forms, allowing greater flexibility of options in managing storage and eventual disposal of high-level waste.

Research Organization:
Australian Atomic Energy Commission, Menai
OSTI ID:
6176344
Report Number(s):
CONF-870905-
Journal Information:
Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 56:1; ISSN TANSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English