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

Long-term performance of glasses for Hanford low-level waste

Conference ·
OSTI ID:87074
; ;  [1]
  1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
The long-term performance of glasses developed for stabilizing Hanford low-level radioactive waste is being assessed using static leach tests conducted for up to one year and under conditions that accelerate Corrosion. These tests support development of durable waste-form compositions and application of performance assessment models. Static leach tests were run with crushed glass at glass surface area/solution volume ratios of 2000 and 20,000 m{sup {minus}1} and temperatures of 20, 40, 70, and 90{degrees}C. All tests showed sodium to be released from the glass faster than boron or silicon. These results are interpreted in terms of the glass structure, the corrosion mechanism, and the effects of time, glass surface area/leachant volume ratio and temperature. Vapor hydration tests were conducted at elevated temperatures (70-200{degrees}C) using glasses containing various amounts of SiO{sub 2}, Na{sub 2}O, B{sub 2}O{sub 3}, CaO, and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The response of a glass in these tests is relevant to its durability over very long disposal times. Different responses were observed in the tests: some glasses completely corroded within a few days while others were only slightly corroded. Corrosion led to the formation of analcime and gobbinsite; the corrosion rate increased significantly after these phases formed implications of these test results for the long-term glass durability are discussed.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (United States); Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38; AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
87074
Report Number(s):
ANL/CMT/CP--84526; CONF-950401--15; ON: DE95013781
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English