Biodegradation testing of TMI-2 EPICOR-II waste forms

Technical Report · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7166586

Rogers, R D; McConnell, Jr, J W

ASTM biodegradation tests were conducted on waste forms containing high specific activity ion exchange resins from EPICOR-II prefilters. Those tests were part of a program to test waste forms in accordance with the NRC Branch Technical Position on Waste Form. Small waste forms were manufactured using two different solidification agents, Portland Type I-II cement and vinyl ester-styrene (VES). Ion exchange material was taken from two EPICOR-II prefilters; PF-7, which contained all organic material, and PF-20, which contained organic resins and a layer of inorganic zeolites. Test results showed that the VES waste forms supported microbial growth, while cement waste forms did not support that growth. Growth was also observed adjacent to some VES waste forms. Radiation levels found in the ion exchange resins used in this study were not found to inhibit microbial growth. The extent of degradation of the waste forms could not be determined using the ASTM tests specified by the NRC Branch Technical Position on Waste Form. As a result of this work, a different testing methodology is recommended, which would provide direct verification of waste form capabilities. That methodology would evaluate solidification materials without using the ASTM procedures or subsequent compression testing. The proposed tests would provide exposure to a wide range of microbial species, use appropriately sized specimens, provide for possible use of alternate carbon sources, and extend the test length. Degradation would be determined directly by measuring metabolic activity or specimen weight loss. 16 refs., 15 figs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Engineering; EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 7166586
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-5137; EGG-2540; ON: TI88012226
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
053000 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Environmental Aspects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BETA SOURCES
BIODEGRADATION
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PARTICLE SOURCES
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLYMERS
PORTLAND CEMENT
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RESINS
SOLIDIFICATION
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE FORMS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES