Evaluation of Iron-Phosphate Glass–Ceramic Waste Form for Electrorefiner Salt Waste Simulant Dechlorinated with Phosphoric Acid

Author

• Harmony Werth
• Paige Murray
• Lucas Greiner
• Jade Beland
• Charmayne Lonergan, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
• Brian Riley
• Krista Carlson

Abstract

The importance of glass and glass–ceramic nuclear waste forms has been reaffirmed in recent years by the growing interest in nuclear power as a reliable energy source. Determination of processing methods for the disposal of halide-containing wastes will be essential for the advancement of nuclear technologies such as non-aqueous fuel reprocessing. Phosphate-based dechlorination and subsequent vitrification of radioactive salt waste into an iron-phosphate waste form have been identified as a potential processing scheme for electrochemical processing waste. The impact of H₃PO₄-based dechlorination of complex salt mixtures on the vitrification process and structure of the final iron-phosphate waste form has not yet been investigated. In this work, iron-phosphate glass–ceramics were made from simulant salt waste (48LiCl–33KCl–19NaCl mol%) dechlorinated with the H₃PO₄-based method. The glass-forming region was compared to that of traditionally prepared Na2O–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ systems. For a candidate glass-forming composition, the processing scheme presented here was determined to favor Fe³⁺ species. The O/P molar ratio was consistent for the candidate composition when dechlorinated at 400°C and 600°C in air and argon environments, indicating glass network connectivity was maintained despite variations in processing parameters. The results presented here validate processing schemes requiring iron-phosphate waste form synthesis following H₃PO₄-based dechlorination.

Recommended Citation

H. Werth et al., "Evaluation of Iron-Phosphate Glass–Ceramic Waste Form for Electrorefiner Salt Waste Simulant Dechlorinated with Phosphoric Acid," International Journal of Ceramic Engineering and Science, vol. 8, no. 3, article no. e70051, Wiley, May 2026.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1002/ces2.70051

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Publication Status

Open Access

Keywords and Phrases

dechlorination; dehalogenation; electrochemical salt waste; iron phosphate; waste form

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2578-3270

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2026 The Authors, All rights reserved.

Creative Commons Licensing

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Publication Date

01 May 2026