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

Does fully radioactive glass behave differently than simulated waste glass

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6645274
There has been interest in the comparison of the leach behavior between fully radioactive and simulated nuclear waste glasses, to assess the differences in reaction mechanism, type, and sequence of secondary phases, and the relative durability among the two types of glasses. The results from these comparisons will provide confidence in the use of the large amount of the data generated in the studies of simulated nuclear waste glass for the modeling of performance of radioactive glasses. Most of the previous comparison studies have been performed at a low to intermediate ratio of glass surface area to solution volume and for time periods of less than one year. These studies have generally concluded there is a little difference in leach behavior between the two glass types. This study reinvestigates that conclusion by utilizing an extensive test matrix, with SA/V ranging between 340 to 20,000 m[sup 1] on three waste glass compositions, for time periods planned up to eight years. The early results are consistent with other studies, in that the leach behavior of simulated waste glasses is similar to that of fully radioactive glasses. However, the longer-term tests at higher SA/V suggest that the leach behavior of the two types of glass diverges, under certain conditions. The longer-term comparison of the leach behavior is discussed.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6645274
Report Number(s):
ANL/CMT/CP-76241; CONF-921101--31; ON: DE93005574
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English