Comparison of the hydrothermal stability of simulated spent fuel and borosilicate glass in a basaltic environment
This report presents the preliminary results of hydrothermal interaction tests on simulated spent fuel and borosilicate glass performed under the direction of the Basalt Waste Isolation Project (BWIP) by contract researchers at Temple University, Arizona State University, and the Basalt Materials Research Laboratory at Rockwell Hanford Operations. Tests were conducted on the following systems: basalt + groundwater, simulated spent fuel + groundwater and simulated spent fuel + groundwater + basalt, and simulated borosilicate glass (PNL 76-68) + groundwater and simulated borosilicate glass (PNL 76-68) + groundwater + basalt. Solution samples were analyzed for pH and over 15 elements, and these concentrations were plotted against run duration. Most concentration curves show a strong initial change within the first 100 to 200 hr and then level off. This gradual leveling suggests that a metastable, steady-state condition has been attained. These preliminary results are insufficient to provide an adequate assessment of the relative performance characteristics of spent fuel and borosilicate glass waste forms in an NWRB. However, as the data base of steady-state (solubility) concentrations of radionuclides is expanded, these values can be coupled with hydrologic flow data to calculate meaningful release rates for individual waste forms in an NWRB and, thus, to compare waste form performance. The tests reported in this document were performed at overstressed conditions to achieve accelerated reaction conditions for demonstrating the long-term performance of waste forms in an NWRB. It is expected that these high-temperatured results will prove to set conservative limits on radionuclide release that may occur at low temperature. Further low-temperature data are being collected to confirm this expectation. 1 figure, 2 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Energy Systems Group
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-77RL01030
- OSTI ID:
- 6724391
- Report Number(s):
- RHO-BW-SA-253-P; CONF-821205-10; ON: DE83001752
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: NWTS information meeting on basalt waste isolation project, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 14 Dec 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BASALT
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
WASTE-ROCK INTERACTIONS
BOROSILICATE GLASS
GROUND WATER
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SPENT FUELS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HIGH PRESSURE
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
PH VALUE
SIMULATION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
DATA
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
GLASS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTOR MATERIALS
ROCKS
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
510300 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)