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Vitrification of simulated highly active calcines containing highconcentrations of sodium and molybdenum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2017

Mike T. Harrison  and
Carl J. Steele
Mike T. Harrison*
Affiliation:
National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1PG, UK.
Carl J. Steele
Affiliation:
Sellafield Ltd, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1PG, UK.
*
*(Email: mike.t.harrison@nnl.co.uk)
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Abstract

Sodium carbonate is currently being considered as a wash-out reagent for theremoval of the settled solids in the unagitated Highly Active Liquor (HAL)storage tanks at Sellafield. As the settled solids are expected to comprisemainly zirconium molybdate (ZM), this will result in a challenging feed to theWaste Vitrification Plant (WVP) containing high concentrations of bothmolybdenum and sodium.

In previous studies, it was shown that at high wash-out waste loadings, i.e. 10– 12 wt% MoO3 incorporation, there was very littletolerance in ‘Ca/Zn’ base glass for extra sodium beforethe formation of significant separated sodium molybdate salt phase. However,higher amounts of sodium can be accommodated in borosilicate glasses if thewash-out waste loading is reduced. Further studies have now been carried out toinvestigate the vitrification of more representative calcined waste feeds. Bothpure zirconium molybdate (ZM) and blended ZM-reprocessing waste calcines wereproduced from the appropriate liquor feeds. The maximum waste incorporations ofthese two calcines in ‘Ca/Zn’ base glass have beendetermined, along with a complete product quality assessment. This assessmentincluded measuring the bulk density, degree of crystallinity, heat treatment,durability (Soxhlet and PCT), glass transition temperature, and viscosity.

Keywords

SiMowaste management

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Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 1 , Issue 63-64: Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXIX , 2016 , pp. 4233 - 4238
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2017 

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References

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