scholarly journals Basalt glass: an analogue for the evaluation of the long-term stability of nuclear waste form borosilicate glasses

1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D. Byers ◽  
M.J. Jercinovic ◽  
R.C. Ewing ◽  
K. Keil
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Waste Form ◽  
Borosilicate Glasses ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Basalt Glass

scholarly journals Basalt Glass: An Analogue for the Evaluation of the Long-Term Stability of Nuclear Waste form Borosilicate Glasses

1984 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Byers ◽  
M. J. Jercinovic ◽  
R. C. Ewing ◽  
K. Keil
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Waste Form ◽  
Borosilicate Glasses ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Basalt Glass ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Basalt Glasses

AbstractThe long-term stability of nuclear waste form borosilicate glasses can be evaluated by understanding the processes that effect the long-term alteration of glass and by comparing laboratory alteration of synthetic basalt and borosilicate glasses with the observed stability of naturally occurring basaltic glasses in diverse geologic environments. This paper presents detailed electron microprobe analyses of naturally altered basaltic glasses (with maximum ages of 10,000 to 20 million years) from low-temperature environments. These results are compared to laboratory data on the corrosion of a synthetic basaltic glass in MCC-1 tests (90°C, a SA/V of 0.1 cm−1 and time periods up to 182 days), MCC-2 tests (190°C, a SA/V of 0.1 cm−1 and time periods up to 210 days) and hydration tests in saturated water vapor (240°C, an estimated SA/V of ∼ 106 cm−1 and time periods up to 63 days). Additionally, laboratory induced hydration alteration of synthetic basalt and borosilicate glasses is compared. These preliminary experiments provide evidence that the alteration processes observed for natural basalt glasses are relevant to understanding the alteration of nuclear waste glass, as both appear to react via similar processes.

Glass/Water Reaction with and without Bentonite Present - Experiment and Model

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Grambow ◽  
H. P. Hermansson ◽  
I. K. Björner ◽  
L. Werme
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Water Permeability ◽  
Borosilicate Glass ◽  
Waste Form ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Aqueous Environment ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Chemical Effects ◽  
Waste Repository

In nuclear waste repository design bentonite has been included as part of the backfill for its sorbtive capacity and low water permeability. Nevertheless, it cannot keep the waste form dry once intrusion of groundwater has occured [1]. Leach experiments [2], [3] with the radioactive nuclear waste form borosilicate glass JSS-A have been performed with and without bentonite present to provide a database which allows the long term stability of the glass in aqueous environment to be forecasted and the chemical effects of bentonite to be studied.

Leached Nuclear Waste Glasses: Ultramicrotomy and AEM Characterization

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 444-445
Author(s):  
J.P. Bradley ◽  
J.K. Bates
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Waste Form ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Aqueous Environment ◽  
Borosilicate Glasses ◽  
Secondary Phases ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
The Stability

The long term performance of a nuclear waste repository depends ultimately on the stability of the waste form. Borosilicate glasses have been proposed as a waste form because they can incorporate radionuclides into their structures and they are relatively resistant to corrosion in an aqueous environment. Experimental and computer modeling programs are in progress to evaluate their long term stability in a geological repository. In the experimental program, glasses have been reacted in sealed vessels (for between 7 and 280 days) to simulate the effects of terrestrial aqueous alteration (leaching). During leaching, a layer of secondary phases (predominantly layer silicates) builds up on the glass surfaces (Pigs. 1-3). Determination of the mineralogy of the leached layer is critical for evaluation of glass performance, but the layers are typically ultra-thin (1-50 μm), poorly crystallized, friable coatings that have eluded detailed characterization. Using ultramicrotomy, we have successfully prepared electron transparent thin-sections of the glasses plus leached layers with minimal disturbance of their indigenous microstructures (Figs. 2-4).

Alteration of basalt glasses: implications for modelling the long-term stability of nuclear waste glasses

Nature ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 314 (6008) ◽  
pp. 252-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Lutze ◽  
G. Malow ◽  
R. C. Ewing ◽  
M. J. Jercinovic ◽  
K. Keil
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Basalt Glasses
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