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Solid state storage of radioactive krypton in a silica matrix

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6702642· OSTI ID:6702642
The feasibility of loading a low density SiO/sub 2/ glass with krypton for storage of radioactive /sup 85/Kr has been demonstrated by studies using non-radioactive krypton. A 96% SiO/sub 2/ glass with 28% porosity was heated at an elevated pressure of Kr gas to a temperature of 850 to 900/sup 0/C and held at that temperature to sinter the glass-krypton composite to a density of about 2 g/cm/sup 3/. A krypton content of 30 cm/sup 3/ of Kr(STP)/cm/sup 3/ of glass has been demonstrated when loading pressures of 140 MPa are used. Krypton release rates from the glass are lower than reported for any other waste form considered currently. At 420/sup 0/C a diffusion parameter, D/r/sub 0//sup 2/, of 8.66 x 10/sup -13/ min/sup -1/ was determined which leads to a total release of 0.7% of the krypton in 10 years. Release rates increase moderately with increasing temperature up to 600/sup 0/C and increase rapidly above 600/sup 0/C. The lower loading pressures (about 40 MPa) may appear to yield a more favorable product from the point of view of krypton release than the high pressures. Advantages and disadvantages of the technique are given in the conclusions section.
Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
6702642
Report Number(s):
PNL-3617
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English