Does Fully Radioactive Glass Behave Differently than Simulated Waste Glass?

Abstract

ABSTRACTStatic tests at SA/V (ratio of surface area of glass to solution volume) 20,000 m−1 on SRL 200 glass compositions show that, at long test periods, the simulated nuclear waste glass (nonradioactive) leaches faster than the corresponding radioactive glass by a factor of about 40, although comparative tests, done through 560 days, at lower SA/V, 2000 m−1, indicate little difference in the leach behavior of the two types of glasses. The similarity in leach behavior between radioactive and simulated glasses at SAN of 2000 m−1 or lower is also observed for SRL 165/42 and 131/11 compositions. The accelerated glass reaction with the simulated glass 200S is associated with the formation of crystalline phases such as clinoptilolite (or potassium feldspar), and a pH excursion. The radiation field generated by the fully radioactive glass reduces the solution pH. This lower pH, in turn, may retard the onset of increased reaction rate. The radiation field generated by the radioactive glasses does not directly affect the stability of the glass surface alteration layer under those conditions where the radioactive and simulated glasses react at the same rate. These results suggest that the fully radioactive nuclear waste glass 200R may maintain a much lower leach rate than the simulated 200S, if the lower pH in the 200R leachate can be sustained. Meaningful comparison tests between radioactive and simulated nuclear waste glasses should include long-term and high SA/V tests.