Solidification of simulated actinides by natural zircon

LOW ENERGY ACCELERATOR, RAY TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS

Solidification of simulated actinides by natural zircon

YANG Jian-Wen，

LUO Shang-Geng

Nuclear Science and Techniques

Vol.15, No.5

pp.268-271

Published in print 01 Oct 2004

CLC：TL942.+212

24600

Natural zircon was used as precursor material to produce a zircon waste form bearing 20wt% simulated actinides (Nd₂O₃ and UO₂) through a solid state reaction by a typical synroc fabrication process. The fabricated zircon waste form has relatively good physical properties (density 5.09g/cm³, open porosity 4.0%, Vickers hardness 715kg/mm²). The XRD, SEM/EDS and TEM/EDS analyses indicate that there are zircon phases containing waste elements formed through the reaction. The chemical durability and radiation stability are determined by the MCC-1 method and heavy ion irradiation; the results show that the zircon waste form is highly leach resistance and relatively stable under irradiation (amorphous dose 0.7dpa). From this study, the method of using a natural mineral to solidify radioactive waste has proven to be feasible.

ZirconWaste formSolidificationActinideChemical durabilityRadiation stability

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