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A preliminary validation study of PuO2 incorporation into zirconolite glass-ceramics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2018

Stephanie M. Thornber ,
Martin C. Stennett ,
Eric R. Vance ,
Dorji T. Chavara ,
Ian Watson ,
Miodrag Jovanovic ,
Joel Davis ,
Daniel Gregg  and
Neil C. Hyatt
Stephanie M. Thornber*
Affiliation:
Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Dept., The University of Sheffield, Mapping Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
Martin C. Stennett
Affiliation:
Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Dept., The University of Sheffield, Mapping Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
Eric R. Vance
Affiliation:
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, Locked Bag 2001, NSW2232, Australia
Dorji T. Chavara
Affiliation:
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, Locked Bag 2001, NSW2232, Australia
Ian Watson
Affiliation:
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, Locked Bag 2001, NSW2232, Australia
Miodrag Jovanovic
Affiliation:
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, Locked Bag 2001, NSW2232, Australia
Joel Davis
Affiliation:
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, Locked Bag 2001, NSW2232, Australia
Daniel Gregg
Affiliation:
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, Locked Bag 2001, NSW2232, Australia
Neil C. Hyatt
Affiliation:
Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Dept., The University of Sheffield, Mapping Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
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Abstract:

Zirconolite glass-ceramics are being developed as potential wasteforms for the disposition of Pu wastes in the UK. Previous studies utilised a variety of surrogates whilst this work uses both cold-press and sinter and hot isostatic press methods to validate the wasteform with PuO2. A cold press and sinter sample was fabricated as part of a validation study for plutonium incorporation in hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) wasteforms. The results confirmed the cold-press and sinter, achieved successful waste incorporation and a microstructure and phase assemblage that was in agreement with those expected of a HIPed equivalent. A HIP sample was fabricated of the same composition and characterised by SEM and XRD. Results were in agreement with the sintered sample and achieved complete waste incorporation into the glass-ceramic wasteform. These samples have demonstrated successful incorporation of PuO2 into glass-ceramic HIPed wasteforms proposed for processing Pu-based waste-streams in the UK.

Keywords

hot isostatic pressing (HIP)nuclear materialsPuwaste management
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 3 , Issue 20: Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XLI , 2018 , pp. 1065 - 1071
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2018 

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