Evaluation of concrete as a matrix for solidification of Savannah River Plant waste

Technical Report · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7089522· OSTI ID:7089522

Stone, J A

The properties of concrete as a matrix for solidification of Savannah River Plant (SRP) high-level radioactive wastes were studied. In an experimental, laboratory-scale program, concrete specimens were prepared and evaluated with both simulated and actual SRP waste sludges. Properties of concrete were found adequate for fixation of SRP wastes. Procedures were developed for preparation of simulated sludges and concrete-sludge castings. Effects of cement type, simulated sludge type, sludge loading, and water content on concrete formulations were tested in a factorial experiment. Compressive strength, leachability of strontium and plutonium, thermal stability, and radiation stability were measured for each formulation. From these studies, high-alumina cement and a portland-pozzolanic cement were selected for additional tests. Incorporation of cesium-loaded zeolite into cement-sludge mixtures had no adverse effects on mechanical or chemical properties of waste forms. Effects of heating concrete-sludge castings were investigated; thermal conductivity and DTA-TGA-EGA data are reported. Formulations of actual SRP waste sludges in concrete were prepared and tested for compressive strength; for leachability of /sup 90/Sr, /sup 137/Cs, and alpha emitters; and for long-term thermal stability. The radioactive sludges were generally similar in behavior to simulated sludges in concrete. 37 tables, 34 figures.

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, S.C. (USA). Savannah River Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-09-0001
• OSTI ID: 7089522
• Report Number(s): DP-1448
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
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ACTINIDES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CESIUM
COMPRESSION STRENGTH
CONCRETES
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
HEATING
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
LEACHING
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLUTONIUM
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLUDGES
SOLIDIFICATION
STABILITY
STRONTIUM
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
ZEOLITES