Identification of crystals in Hanford nuclear waste using polarized light microscopy
The use of polarized light microscopy for identifying crystals encountered in Westinghouse Hanford Company chemical studies is described. Identifying characteristics and full-color photographs are presented for crystals commonly found in Hanford Site nuclear waste, including sodium nitrate, sodium aluminate, sodium phosphate, sodium flouride, ammonium heptafluorozirconate, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, and ammonium nitrate. These characteristics are described in terms of birefringence, extinction position, interference figure, sign of elongation, optic sign, and crystal morphology. Background information on crystal optics is presented so that these traits can be understood by the nonmicroscopist. Detailed operational instructions are given so that the novice microscope user can make the proper adjustments of the instrument to search for and observe the identifying features of the crystals.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-87RL10930
- OSTI ID:
- 5328371
- Report Number(s):
- WHC-MR-0375; ON: DE92014413
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CRYSTALS
BIREFRINGENCE
MORPHOLOGY
VISIBLE RADIATION
POLARIZATION
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MANAGEMENT
MICROSCOPY
RADIATIONS
REFRACTION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
440600* - Optical Instrumentation- (1990-)
052000 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management