| Actinide-rich waste streams offer
unique immobilization challenges. They typically have very
long half-lives, may be fissile, thus requiring criticality
control measures, and depending on their source can either
be very pure or very impure.
synrocANSTO
has developed a range of waste forms for actinide waste
streams, as well as other matrices suitable for inert matrix
fuels and transmutation targets. One example of our
capabilities was the major role
synrocANSTO
played in the development of a waste form to immobilize
surplus weapons plutonium in the
US.
The key advantages of a pyrochlore
ceramic, or even a synroc glass-ceramic, over LaBS glass
have been highlighted in the diagram below.
Borosilicate and LaBS glass are shown on the right
hand side of the diagram, exhibiting a high neutron dose
rate and low chemical durability.
If consideration is given to maximizing cost savings,
proliferation resistance and waste loading then the waste
form of preference lies within the synroc
ANSTO
envelope of waste forms on the left hand
side of the diagram.
|
|
Benefits |
-
Proliferation
resistant
-
10 -
1000x more chemically durable than glass
-
Criticality
safe over life cycle
-
8x
reduction in neutron dose worker exposure
-
Proven
nuclear process tech (sinter & HIP)
-
Contains
50% more Pu vs glass
-
Cost
savings
|
 |
|
