Skip to main content
Log in

The dissolution of simulant UK Ca/Zn-modified nuclear waste glass: Insight into Stage III behavior

  • Article
  • Published:
MRS Advances Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The dissolution of the United Kingdom’s vitrified high-level-waste simulant, CaZn MW28, was investigated following the Product Consistency Test-B protocol for 112 d at 90 °C and in ultra-high-quality water. Residual rate dissolution (stage II) and rate resumption (stage III), after 28 d, was observed. Thermodynamic modelling suggested that solutions were saturated with respect to Mg- and Zn-bearing phases, and the presence of Mg- and Zn-smectite clays was tentatively observed. The formation of these phases was concurrent with a significant increase in the dissolution rate, similar to Stage III behavior seen in other nuclear waste simulant glass materials, indicating that the addition of Mg and Zn to high-level-waste glass (7.3 wt. % combined) significantly influences the dissolution rate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. T. Harrison and G. C. Brown. Mat. Let. 221, 154–156 (2018).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. B. F. Dunnett, N. R. Gribble, R. Short and E. Turner. Glass. Tech.: Eur. J. Glass Sci. Tech. 53 (4), 166–171 (2012).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. R. Short. Proc. Mater. Sci. 7, 93–100 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Matlack et al. Sci. Bas. Nuc. Was. Man. XXII, Paper 9.55, Mater. Res. Soc. Fall Meeting (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  5. S. Gin, P. Frugier, P. Jollivert, F. Brugier and E. Curti. Int. J. App. Gla. Sci. 4, [4], 371–382 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. C. M. Jantzen, W. E. Lee and M. I. Ojovan, “Radioactive waste conditioning, immobilisation, and encapsulation processes and technologies: Overview and advances,” In Radioactive waste management and contaminated site clean-up: Processes, technologies and international experiences, W. E. Lee, M. I. Ojovan and C. M. Jantzen, Eds. Cambridge: Woodhead, 2013, pp. 171–272 (2013).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. C. A. Utton, R. J. Hand, P. A. Bingham, N. C. Hyatt, S. W. Swanton and S. J. Williams. J.Nuc.Mat. 435, 112–122, (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. H. Aréna. D. Rébiscoul, R. Podor, E. Garcès, M. Cabie, J.-P. Mestre and N. Godon. Geo. et Cos. Acta. 239, 420–445 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. T. Chave, P. Frugier, S. Gin and A. Ayral. Geo.Chim.Act. 75, 4125–4139, (2011).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. C. L. Corkhill, N. J. Cassingham, P. G. Heath and N. C. Hyatt. Int. J. App. Gla. Sci. 4, [4], 341–356 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. I. S. Muller, S. Ribet, I. Pegg, S. Gin and P. Frugier. Cer. Trans. 176, 191–199, (2006).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. H. Zhang, C. L. Corkhill, P. G. Heath, R. J. Hand, M. C. Stennett, N. C. Hyatt. J. Nuc. Mat. 462, 321–328 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. ASTM C1285-14, Standard Test Methods for Determining Chemical Durability of Nuclear, Hazardous, and Mixed Waste Glasses and Multiphase Glass Ceramics: The Product Consistency Test (PCT), ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  14. M.T. Harrison. Proc. Mat. Sci. 7, 186–192 (2014).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. E. Curti, J. L. Crovisier, G. Morvan and Am. M. Karpoff. App. Geochem. 21, 1152–1168 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. B. M. J. Thien, N. Godon, A. Ballestero, S. Gin and A. Ayral. J.Nuc.Mat. 427, 297–310, (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. B. Fleury, N. Godon, A. Ayral and S. Gin. J.Nuc.Mat. 442, 17–28, (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. H. Aréna, N. Godon, D. Rébiscoul, R. Podor, E. Garcès, M. Cabie and J.-P. Mestre. J.Nuc.Mat. 470, 55–67, (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fisher, A.J., Harrison, M.T., Hyatt, N.C. et al. The dissolution of simulant UK Ca/Zn-modified nuclear waste glass: Insight into Stage III behavior. MRS Advances 5, 103–109 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2020.50

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2020.50

Navigation