Analysis of Leaching Behavior of Simulated LILW Glasses by Using the MCC-1 Test Method

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Glasses developed for the treatment of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) from nuclear power plants were evaluated by using the Material Characterization Center-1 (MCC-1) leaching method. Tests were conducted at temperatures of 40, 70, and 90°C for three weeks in pH buffer solutions spanning the range from pH 4 to pH 11. Normalized mass losses and forward dissolution rates of major glass elements (B, Na, Al, Si, Co, Cs) were analyzed under each leaching condition. From these data, the forward rate equations depending on pH and temperature were defined using a nonlinear regression method. This equation provided an overall diagram of the leach rate with these parameters (i.e., pH and temperature). The forward dissolution rates of the glasses were found to have a V-shaped pH dependence. The glasses in the pH ranges were found to have a forward dissolution rate below 10 g/m2·d, when the temperatures were between 40 and 90°C and the leachant condition was pH 4–11. Except for the DG2 glass, the minimum forward dissolution rate (0.01–1 g/m2·d) was obtained at approximately pH 7–8. Compared with previously reported results, the developed glasses showed relatively high forward dissolution rates at the neutral region, while showing similar or lower rates compared with other glasses and ceramic waste forms at both extremes of pH.
2011-07-01