Preliminary evaluation of alternative waste form solidification processes. Volume I. Identification of the processes.

Abstract

Waste is Incorporated in a very du rable mater ial. ENGIN EERED BARRIERS-Con tain ers th at will minimize contact between the waste and geologic barriers for ma ny yea rs. GEO LOGIC BARRI ERS-Deep underground waste burial will provid e isolation from the environment. FIGUR E 1. The Mul t i barrier Concept for Isol ati ng High-Leve l Waste are con cerns as t o whether such a l arge glass form is a su itab le waste form. Therefore, other wa ste forms that may have more des i r able characteristics are be i ng co nsi dered. Following the solidification of HLLW, the waste (which is contained in storage canisters) will be transferred to a storage facility located onsite. The storage facility may be comprised of water basins, air-cooled vaults or concrete surface-silos. Storage conditions will be controlled to prevent the deterioration of the waste form. However, both deterioration and canister failure are expected, and provisions will be made for installing overpacks on any or all canisters before shipping. Overpacks will meet the performance criteria of primary canisters. Spent fuel and solidified HLLW may be stored in the same facility. Canisters delivered to the storage facility will meet the acceptance criteria of the storage facility as well as those for shipping and disposal in a federal repository. Acceptance criteria will include the following: • The waste canister will be a maximum of 0.60 m in 00 and 3 m in length. • The waste canister will be constructed of 304L stainless steel or a similar material. 16 .

Radioactive waste (RAW) conditioning, immobilization, and encapsulation processes and technologies: overview and advances

“…Vitromelt is a composite wasteform in which glass beads (0.5 cm) are embedded in a metal matrix (usually a Pb alloy). [154,155,156] For example, waste immobilized in calcium silicate pellets was encapsulated in a lead matrix. In one variation of the commercial PAMELA vitromet process phosphate glass beads containing HLW were produced by passing molten glass through nozzles.…”

Preliminary assessment of candidate immobilization technologies for retrieved single-shell tank wastes

“…Those that survive the screening will become candidates for more detailed study, as described in Section 4.4.3. Reviews or meeting proceedings that were especially applicable for this literature review include Kibbey and Godbee (1980); Rockwell International (1980); Schulz et al (1980); Treat et al (1980); Neilson and Dole (1985); Jolley et al (1986); Arnold et al (1983); Roggenthen (1989); ANS (1984); ASTM (1990) no more so than would in situ vitrification of the SST tanks and contents, which is presently being given serious consideration.…”

Evaluation of lead-iron-phosphate glass as a high-level waste form

“…This method has been considered in several comparative waste form studies. (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) In general, the metal matrix waste form is considered to be less desirable than B-Si glass poured into steel canisters on the basis of an overall "figure-of-merit" rating that takes into account product performance (leaching), process complexity, and cost. Most of the cost disadvantages of marbles in a metal matrix stem from the necessity to produce about 40% more canisters because the spherical marbles limit packing efficiency.…”