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Retention of Neptunium in Uranyl Alteration Phases Formed During Spent Fuel Corrosion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

E. C. Buck
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
R. J. Finch
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
P. A. Finn
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
J. K. Bates
Affiliation:
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
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Abstract

Uranyl oxide hydrate phases are known to form during contact of oxide spent nuclear fuel with water under oxidizing conditions; however, less is known about the fate of fission and neutron capture products during this alteration. We describe, for the first time, evidence that neptunium can become incorporated into the uranyl secondary phase, dehydrated schoepite (UO3•0.8H2O). Based on the long-term durability of natural schoepite, the retention of neptunium in this alteration phase may be significant during spent fuel corrosion in an unsaturated geologic repository.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

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References

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