scholarly journals The Use of MgO Obtained from Serpentinite in the Synthesis of a Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Matrix for Radioactive Waste Immobilization

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Svetlana A. Kulikova ◽  
Sergey E. Vinokurov ◽  
Ruslan K. Khamizov ◽  
Natal’ya S. Vlasovskikh ◽  
Kseniya Y. Belova ◽  
...  

Magnesium oxide is a necessary binding agent for the synthesis of a magnesium potassium phosphate (MPP) matrix based on MgKPO4 × 6H2O, which is promising for the solidification of radioactive waste (RW) on an industrial scale. The performed research is devoted to finding a cost-effective approach to the synthesis of MPP matrix by using MgO with an optimal ratio of the quality of the binding agent and the cost of its production. A method for obtaining MgO from the widely available natural mineral serpentinite was proposed. The phase composition, particle morphology, and granulometric composition of MgO were studied. It was found that the obtained MgO sample, in addition to the target periclase phase, also contains impurities of brucite and hydromagnesite; however, after calcining at 1300 °C for 3 h, MgO transforms into a monophase state with a periclase structure with an average crystallite size of 62 nm. The aggregate size of the calcined MgO powder in an aqueous medium was about 55 μm (about 30 μm after ultrasonic dispersion), and the specific surface area was 5.4 m2/g. This powder was used to prepare samples of the MPP matrix, the compressive strength of which was about 6 MPa. The high hydrolytic stability of the MPP matrix was shown: the differential leaching rate of magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus from the sample on the 91st day of its contact with water does not exceed 1.6 × 10−5, 4.7 × 10−4 и 8.9 × 10−5 g/(cm2·day), respectively. Thus, it was confirmed that the obtained MPP matrix possesses the necessary quality indicators for RW immobilization.

Author(s):  
Sergey E. Vinokurov ◽  
Svetlana A. Kulikova ◽  
Boris F. Myasoedov

The problem of effective immobilization of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) is key to the successful development of nuclear energy. The possibility of using magnesium potassium phosphate (MKP) compound for LRW immobilization on the example of nitric acid solutions containing actinides and rare earth elements (REE), including high level waste (HLW) surrogate solution is considered in the research work. Under the study of phase composition and structure of the MKP compounds obtained by the XRD and SEM methods, it was established that the compounds are composed of crystalline phases - analogues of natural phosphate minerals (struvite, metaankoleite). The hydrolytic stability of the compounds was determined according to the semi-dynamic test GOST R 52126-2003. Low leaching rates of radionuclides from the compound are established, including a differential leaching rate of 239Pu and 241Am - 3.5 × 10-7 and 5.3 × 10-7 g/(cm2∙day). As a result of the research work it was concluded that the MKP compound is promising for LRW immobilization and can become an alternative material combining the advantages of easy implementation of the technology like cementation and the high physical and chemical stability corresponding to a glass-like compound.


Author(s):  
Cristian Cocconcelli ◽  
Bongsuk Park ◽  
Jian Zou ◽  
George Lopp ◽  
Reynaldo Roque

Reflective cracking is frequently reported as the most common distress affecting resurfaced pavements. An asphalt rubber membrane interlayer (ARMI) approach has been traditionally used in Florida to mitigate reflective cracking. However, recent field evidence has raised doubts about the effectiveness of the ARMI when placed near the surface, indicating questionable benefits to reflective cracking and increased instability rutting potential. The main purpose of this research was to develop guidelines for an effective alternative to the ARMI for mitigation of near-surface reflective cracking in overlays on asphalt pavement. Fourteen interlayer mixtures, covering three aggregate types widely used in Florida, and two nominal maximum aggregate sizes (NMAS) were designed according to key characteristics identified for mitigation of reflective cracking, that is, sufficient gradation coarseness and high asphalt content. The dominant aggregate size range—interstitial component (DASR-IC) model was used for the design of all mixture gradations. A composite specimen interface cracking (CSIC) test was employed to evaluate reflective cracking performance of interlayer systems. In addition, asphalt pavement analyzer (APA) tests were performed to determine whether the interlayer mixtures had sufficient rutting resistance. The results indicated that interlayer mixtures designed with lower compaction effort, reduced design air voids, and coarser gradation led to more cost-effective fracture-tolerant and shear-resistant (FTSR) interlayers. Therefore, preliminary design guidelines including minimum effective film thickness and maximum DASR porosity requirements were proposed for 9.5-mm NMAS (35 µm and 50%) and 4.75-mm NMAS FTSR mixtures (20 µm and 60%) to mitigate near-surface reflective cracking.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaolin Lu ◽  
Xiaojuan Hu ◽  
Yao Lu

Particle morphology, including size and shape, is an important factor that significantly influences the physical and chemical properties of biomass material. Based on image processing technology, a method was developed to process sample images, measure particle dimensions, and analyse the particle size and shape distributions of knife-milled wheat straw, which had been preclassified into five nominal size groups using mechanical sieving approach. Considering the great variation of particle size from micrometer to millimeter, the powders greater than 250 μm were photographed by a flatbed scanner without zoom function, and the others were photographed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with high-image resolution. Actual imaging tests confirmed the excellent effect of backscattered electron (BSE) imaging mode of SEM. Particle aggregation is an important factor that affects the recognition accuracy of the image processing method. In sample preparation, the singulated arrangement and ultrasonic dispersion methods were used to separate powders into particles that were larger and smaller than the nominal size of 250 μm. In addition, an image segmentation algorithm based on particle geometrical information was proposed to recognise the finer clustered powders. Experimental results demonstrated that the improved image processing method was suitable to analyse the particle size and shape distributions of ground biomass materials and solve the size inconsistencies in sieving analysis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (07) ◽  
pp. 987-993
Author(s):  
S. SADEGHI-NIARAKI ◽  
S. A. SEYYED EBRAHIMI ◽  
SH. RAYGAN

Nanocrystalline strontium hexaferrite powder has been prepared by a new mechanochemical method in which the single phase hexaferrite was obtained via a sol–gel autocombustion process followed by an intermediate high energy milling step and subsequent annealing. The effects of the intermediate milling on the phase evolution, crystallite size and annealing behavior of the final products were investigated using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The single phase strontium hexaferrite was obtained at an annealing temperature of 800°C, while this temperature was 1,000°C for the powder synthesized without milling. It could be seen that an intermediate milling accelerates the formation of strontium hexaferrite during the calcination process. The results showed that in the milled powder, the average crystallite size of the ferrite was about 40 nm and much smaller than that of the nonmilled powder. Magnetic properties were also measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The particle morphology was then studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM).


2013 ◽  
Vol 1547 ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yarilyn Cedeño-Mattei ◽  
Myrna Reyes ◽  
Oscar Perales-Pérez ◽  
Félix R. Román

ABSTRACTThe present work focuses on the development of a reproducible and cost-effective size-controlled synthesis route for nanoscale MgO and the preliminary assessment of its bactericide capacity as a function of crystal size. Nanoscale MgO was produced through the thermal decomposition of Mg-carbonate hydrate precursor (hydromagnesite) synthesized in aqueous phase. The exclusive formation of the MgO phase, with an average crystallite size between 7 and 13 ± 1 nm, was evidenced by X-Ray Diffraction and HRTEM analyses. Fourier Transform – Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the evolution of the precursor into the desired MgO structure. The bactericidal tests were conducted by measuring the optical density at 600 nm of E. coli in presence of MgO nanoparticles of specific sizes. MgO nanocrystals with average crystallite sizes of 13nm inhibited bacterial growth up to 35% at 500 mg MgO/L. The mechanism of inhibition could be attributed to the formation of superoxide species on the MgO surface.


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