Immobilization of CsCI and SrF₂ in Iron Phosphate Glass
Abstract
A large part of the radioactive 137Cs and 90Sr stored at the Hanford site is present as CsCl and SrF2. Attempts to incorporate halides in borosilicate glass often produces immiscibility which is undesirable for immobilizing nuclear materials. Conversely, iron phosphate glasses have been made with up to 26 and 31 mol% CsCl and SrF2, respectively, and up to 34 mol% CsCl and SrF2 combined. These compositions are melted at temperatures as low as 950°C for 2 h and form fluid melts. The low melting temperature of the iron phosphate wasteforms reduces the probability that radioactive 137Cs will vaporize from the melt, which becomes increasingly likely at the higher temperature (greater-or-equal, slanted1150° C) used to melt borosilicate glasses. Analysis of the glasses produced in this study show that very little, if any, Cs and Sr was volatilized from the batches, although the majority of the halide is released during melting. All of the iron phosphate glassy wasteforms in the current study had a total ion release in distilled water of approximately 10 mg/l which is about one tenth that measured for the approved reference material (ARM-1), a reference borosilicate glass. The dissolution rate of the iron phosphate wasteforms in distilled water decreased with increasing iron content.
Recommended Citation
M. G. Mesko et al., "Immobilization of CsCI and SrF₂ in Iron Phosphate Glass," Waste Management, Elsevier, Jul 2000.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(99)00331-1
Department(s)
Materials Science and Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Iron Phosphate Glass
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0956-053X
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2000 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jul 2000
