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Uranium and Rare Earth Partitioning in Synroc

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1992

K. L. Smith
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials Program, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, PMB 1, Menai, N.S.W. 2234, Australia
G. R. Lumpkin
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials Program, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, PMB 1, Menai, N.S.W. 2234, Australia
M. G. Blackford
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials Program, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, PMB 1, Menai, N.S.W. 2234, Australia
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Abstract

Improved AEM techniques were used to investigate three Synrocs containing 10 wt/ simulated HLW and a fourth sample with ∼18 wt/ simulated HLW. One of the 10 wt./ loaded Synrocs also contained an addition of 1.0 wt/ Na2O and another contained an addition of 2.0 wt/ Fe2O3. This work is part of a larger study initiated with the objective of determining if the bulk composition of Synroc affects the partitioning of elements between individual phases. Results from the four samples in this study show that, as expected, elemental partitioning is mainly controlled by the ionic radius criterion, with smaller Y, Gd, and U ions having a preference for zirconolite and the larger Ce and Nd ions favouring perovskite. Additions of Na and Fe lead to the formation of CAT and loveringite at the expense of rutile or Magneli phases, but only have minor effects on partitioning coefficients. Partitioning coefficients, DZ/P, for REE, Y, and U in the four Synrocs are the same (within experimental error).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1993

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References

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