Immobilization of Radioactive Wastes by Embedding in Phosphate Ceramic

Abstract

This work is devoted to the development of new composite materials for immobilizing medium- and low-level radioactive wastes. The most promising existing methods of solidification are low-temperature processes because they do not require complicated equipment and are cost-effective. As a result of the higher cost-effectiveness, less inert binder is needed in the overall volume of the solidified compound. Thus, using a complex phosphate, making it possible to increase the concentration of toxic products while maintaining reliable immobilization of the latter, is certainly a topical problem.

Two advantages of phosphate ceramic are that high concentrations of anions which adversely affect the longevity of cement monoliths can be included and the spectrum of types of wastes that can be handled, including sol residues of combustion and mercury-containing wastes, is wide.