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Assessment of the Performance of Cement-Based Composite Material for Radioactive Waste Immobilization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

M. Atkins
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Old Aberdeen, AB9 2UE, Scotland
J. Cowie
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Old Aberdeen, AB9 2UE, Scotland
F.P. Glasser
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Old Aberdeen, AB9 2UE, Scotland
T. Jappy
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Old Aberdeen, AB9 2UE, Scotland
A. Kindness
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Old Aberdeen, AB9 2UE, Scotland
C. Pointer
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Old Aberdeen, AB9 2UE, Scotland
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Abstract

The problem of predicting the future performance of cement-based systems is complicated by a poor understanding of the behaviour of cement systems at long ages, as well as of the complex interactions which can occur between cement and waste components - active as well as inactive - and with cement blending agents including fly ash, glassy slags and natural pozzolans. The progress achieved in developing a predictive capability is reviewed. Considerable success has been achieved in modelling the chemically-related features of cement based systems in terms of pH, Eh, and of element partition between solid and aqueous phases. The behaviour of model radwaste elements - iodine and uranium - has been studied in depth and indicates that both sorption and precipitation occur. U(VI), in particular, forms solubilitylimiting compounds, e.g. uranophane. But in general, presently-available data are inadequate to predict many cement-waste stream teractions; future progress in modelling is likely to rely heavily on additions to the data base.

The repository environment will also condition chemical exchanges in cement-based systems. Progress is being made in predicting the impact of CO2, a common ground water component, on the performance of cement systems.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

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References

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