Impact of Time / Temperature Curing Conditions and Aluminate Concentrations on Saltstone Properties

Key Factors That Influence the Performance Properties of Arp/Mcu Saltstone Mixes

“…Previous results [4] have shown that the performance properties of the mixes depend on the time/temperature profile for curing. Figure 4-3 shows the dependence of E on time and temperature curing profiles for a mix at 0.60 w/cm ratio (GVS118) with a cement concentration of 30 wt % of the premix.…”

“…The measurements of heat of hydration [4], dynamic Young's modulus [5], porosity [6], and processing properties such as set time [7] were performed by the methods used previously.…”

“…Recent results [4] demonstrated that it is not only the temperature of curing which is important but also the time/temperature sequence of curing. Therefore, this report also focuses on the impact of the sequencing of time and curing temperature on Saltstone properties.…”

Performance Properties of Saltstone Produced Using SWPF Simulants

“…This report identifies and quantifies, when possible, those factors that drive the performance properties of the projected SWPF grouts. Previous work has identified aluminate concentration in the salt waste stream as a key factor in determining performance and consequently, a significant variation in the aluminate concentration (from 0.35 to 0.65 M in Phase 12) was investigated in this report [2][3][4].…”

“…The degree of hydration can be estimated by measurement of the heat of hydration through isothermal calorimetry. It turns out that a higher degree of hydration, as reflected by higher heat of hydration, leads to a better product in terms of performance [4]. Therefore, there are competing effects between lowering the heat of hydration in order to reduce the associated temperature increase in the vault and improving the performance properties through higher heats of hydration.…”