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Correlation of 137Cs Release From Small-Scale to Large-Scale Cement Waste Forms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Nabil Morcos*
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Energy, Upton, New York
Ramesh Dayal
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Energy, Upton, New York
Laurence Milian
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Energy, Upton, New York
Philip Hayde
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Energy, Upton, New York
Allen J. Weiss
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Energy, Upton, New York
*
*Present address: Mallinckrodt, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri 63134.
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Abstract

A study correlating the leachability of 137 Cs from small-scale to large-scale cement forms was performed. The waste forms consisted of (a) organic ion exchange resins incorporated in Portland I cement, with a waste-to-cement ratio of 0.6 and a water-to-cement ratio of 0.4 (as free water) and (b) boric acid waste (12% solution) incorporated in Portland III cement, with a waste-to-cement ratio of 0.7. 137Cs was added to both waste types prior to solidification. The sample dimensions varied from 1 in. ×1 in. to 22 in. × 22 in. (diameter × height). Leach data extending over a period of 260 days were obtained using a modified IAEA leach test. A method based on semi-infinite plane source diffusion model was applied to interpret the leach data, which allows prediction of the amount of 137Cs leached from the forms as a function of leaching time and waste form dimensions. A reasonably good agreement between the experimental and calculated data was obtained for both types of cement waste forms.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1983

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References

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