Characterization and testing of basalt glass and glass ceramic waste forms

Conference · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6633788

Lokken, R O; Chick, L A

Basalt was used to solidify three simulated high-level waste calcines and a transuranic blend waste. The materials were produced by melting basalt powder with simulated waste at 1300/sup 0/C for 2 hr in platinum crucibles and pouring into bars which were annealed for at least 2 hr at 550/sup 0/C. Crystallization of the glasses was affected by nucleating at temperatures from 670/sup 0/C to 850/sup 0/C, followed by further treatment at temperatures from 900/sup 0/C to 1100/sup 0/C. Heat treatment and leaching studies were performed on these waste forms. Based on the results from this study, the following conclusions can be drawn. Natural basalt can be used to solidify simulated high-level and transuranic waste in either a basalt glass or a basalt glass ceramic. Recrystallization of basalt glass containing simulated high-level and transuranic waste improves the short-term leachability. Different waste compositions and heat treatment have a minimal effect on the chemical durability of basalt glass ceramics. Chemical durability of basalt glass and glass ceramic waste forms is comparable to or better than the durability of a reference high-level borosilicate waste glass under the same conditions.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6633788
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-9545; CONF-811088-5; ON: DE83002666
• 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
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360202 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Structure & Phase Studies
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
BASALT
CALCINED WASTES
CERAMICS
CRYSTAL GROWTH
DISSOLUTION
GLASS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
IGNEOUS ROCKS
LEACHING
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLIDIFICATION
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES