Thorium and americium solubilities in cement pore water containing superplasticiser compared with thermodynamic calculations

Abstract

The solubility of thorium and americium in pore water squeezed from a cement paste was investigated by a batch method from oversaturation. The cement paste was prepared by mixing ordinary Portland cement with deionised water; in some cases the deionised water contained a polycarboxylic acid–base type superplasticiser. Following solidification, pore water was squeezed from the cement paste and collected for use in the solubility experiments. The aim of these was to investigate whether there was any effect of superplasticiser on the solubility of thorium and americium in the squeezed cement pore waters. The obtained solubility values in the two squeezed pore waters (with and without superplasticiser present) were similar. Thermodynamic calculations were performed with the thermodynamic database developed by Japan Atomic Energy Agency and compared with the experimental data to verify their applicability. These results showed that the superplasticiser used in the present study after mixing with the cement paste did not have a significant effect on solubility of thorium and americium, and the thermodynamic calculations were applicable in the present system. Size distribution of colloidal species of thorium and americium was also investigated.