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Synthesis of Zircon for Immobilization of Actinides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

B. E. Burakov ,
E. B. Anderson ,
V. S. Rovsha ,
S. V. Ushakov ,
R. C. Ewing ,
W. Lutze  and
W. J. Weber
B. E. Burakov
Affiliation:
Khlopin Radium Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
E. B. Anderson
Affiliation:
Khlopin Radium Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
V. S. Rovsha
Affiliation:
Khlopin Radium Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
S. V. Ushakov
Affiliation:
Khlopin Radium Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
R. C. Ewing
Affiliation:
Dept. of Earth&Nuclear Engineering, Un. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
W. Lutze
Affiliation:
Dept. of Chem.&Nuclear Engineering, Un. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
W. J. Weber
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352
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Abstract

A new method of synthesis for actinide-doped zircon is presented based on studies of zircons formed by crystallization from the reactor core melt generated in the course of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. These zircons have compositions in the range (Zr0.94, U0.06)SiO4 to (Zr0.9, U0.1)SiO4. Hot-pressing of oxides was studied to make Zr-based waste forms. The results demonstrate the efficacy of using metallic zirconium in synthesizing high-actinide zircons. In the event of deviations from zircon's ideal stoichiometry, ZrO2 forms, which is also an effective host phase for actinide elements. Waste streams high in zirconium and actinides could be converted into Zr-based waste forms. The adaptation and modification of the mixed-oxide reactor fuel (MOX) production process is proposed as a process for the production of (Zr,Pu)SiO4, a durable waste form for excess weapons plutonium.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 412: Symposium V – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XIX , 1995 , 33
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1996

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