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Low Temperature Sequential Melting and Anion Retention in Simplified Low Activity Waste

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Abstract

This study seeks to understand the low temperature reactions of the salt phase that occur during the vitrification of Hanford Low Activity Waste (LAW). Salts (such as nitrates, sulfates, carbonates, halides, etc.) play a key role in these low temperature reactions as they sequentially melt, decompose, and volatilize during batch-to-glass conversion. To further understand these complex processes, simplified LAW melts containing oxyanion salts (sodium salts of carbonate, sulfate, and/or nitrate) and early melting glass formers (boric acid) have been evaluated using thermal analysis, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Results from this study indicate that the volatilization behavior of particular salts is influenced by the presence or absence of other salts. NaNO3 volatilization is decreased by the presence of Na2SO4. The addition of either Na2SO4 or NaNO3 to the system may enhance the volatilization of Na2CO3. In all cases, Na2SO4 was retained after melting and was often found to be in two different crystalline phases upon quenching.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science and Engineering Program, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA

    Emily T. Nienhuis & John S. McCloy

  2. School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA

    John S. McCloy

Authors
  1. Emily T. Nienhuis
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  2. John S. McCloy
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Nienhuis, E.T., McCloy, J.S. Low Temperature Sequential Melting and Anion Retention in Simplified Low Activity Waste. MRS Advances 5, 195–206 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2020.52

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2020.52

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