Physical-mechanical Properties and Radon Exhalation of Fiber-reinforced Uranium Tailings Geopolymer Solidified Bodies

Abstract

Uranium tailing ponds are a potential major source of radioactive pollution. Solidification treatment of uranium tailings can control the diffusion and migration of radioactive elements in uranium tailings to safeguard the surrounding ecological environment. Literature review and field investigation were conducted in this study prior to fabricating 11 solidified uranium tailings samples with different proportions with PVA fiber, basalt fiber, metakaolin, and fly ash. The samples’ pore structure, volume resistivity, compressive strength, and radon exhalation rate variations were analyzed. The pore size of the solidified samples is mainly between 1–50 nm, the pore volume is between 0.726–1.750 cm3/g, the volume resistivity is between 1411.33-1937.33 Ω·m, and the compressive strength is between 20.61–36.91 MPa. The radon exhalation rate is between 0.0397–0.0853 Bq·m2·s− 1, which is lower than the national standard. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the physical and mechanical properties and radon exhalation rate of the solidified samples, the basalt fiber is found to outperform PVA fiber overall. The solidification effect is optimal when the 0.6% basalt fiber is added.

Wyzwania i możliwości odzysku w gospodarce odpadami podczas procesów wydobycia i wzbogacania rud zawierających uran i tor – przegląd

“…They also fulfil specific measurement requirements and enable the accurate assessment of U-wastes and potentially contaminated waste (Clark et al 2003). Characteristics of U-wastes include (Jiang et al 2020(Jiang et al , 2021(Jiang et al , 2022Wei et al 2021;liu et al 2021;Mao et al 2022):…”