Synthesis of zircon for immobilization of actinides

B. E. Burakov; E. B. Anderson; V. S. Rovsha; S. V. Ushakov; R. C. Ewing; W. Lutze; W. J. Weber

Synthesis of zircon for immobilization of actinides

B. E. Burakov, E. B. Anderson, V. S. Rovsha, S. V. Ushakov, R. C. Ewing, W. Lutze, W. J. Weber

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

A new method of synthesis for actinide-doped zircon is presented based on studies of zircons formed by crystallization from the reactor core melt generated in the course of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. These zircons have compositions in the range (Zr_0.94,U_0.06)SiO₄ to (Zr_0.9,U_0.1)SiO₄. Hot-pressing of oxides was studied to make Zr-based waste forms. The results demonstrate the efficacy of using metallic zirconium in synthesizing high-actinide zircons. In the event of deviations from zircon's ideal stoichiometry, ZrO₂ forms, which is also an effective host phase for actinide elements. Waste streams high in zirconium and actinides could be converted into Zr-based waste forms. The adaptation and modification of the mixed-oxide reactor fuel (MOX) production process is proposed as a process for the production of (Zr,Pu)SiO₄, a durable waste form for excess weapons plutonium.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	[d]33-39
Journal	Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings
Volume	412
State	Published - 1996
Externally published	Yes
Event	Proceedings of the 1995 MRS Fall Symposium - Boston, MA, USA Duration: Nov 27 1995 → Nov 30 1995

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science
Condensed Matter Physics
Mechanics of Materials
Mechanical Engineering

Cite this

@article{8d6f1cb024914ec297aa7085d806cce6,

title = "Synthesis of zircon for immobilization of actinides",

abstract = "A new method of synthesis for actinide-doped zircon is presented based on studies of zircons formed by crystallization from the reactor core melt generated in the course of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. These zircons have compositions in the range (Zr0.94,U0.06)SiO4 to (Zr0.9,U0.1)SiO4. Hot-pressing of oxides was studied to make Zr-based waste forms. The results demonstrate the efficacy of using metallic zirconium in synthesizing high-actinide zircons. In the event of deviations from zircon's ideal stoichiometry, ZrO2 forms, which is also an effective host phase for actinide elements. Waste streams high in zirconium and actinides could be converted into Zr-based waste forms. The adaptation and modification of the mixed-oxide reactor fuel (MOX) production process is proposed as a process for the production of (Zr,Pu)SiO4, a durable waste form for excess weapons plutonium.",

author = "Burakov, {B. E.} and Anderson, {E. B.} and Rovsha, {V. S.} and Ushakov, {S. V.} and Ewing, {R. C.} and W. Lutze and Weber, {W. J.}",

note = "Funding Information: This collaboration is supported by the NATO International Scientific Exchange Program. Parts of this work are supported by a grant from the Los Alamos National Laboratory.; Proceedings of the 1995 MRS Fall Symposium ; Conference date: 27-11-1995 Through 30-11-1995",

year = "1996",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "412",

pages = "[d]33--39",

journal = "Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings",

issn = "0272-9172",

publisher = "Materials Research Society",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Synthesis of zircon for immobilization of actinides

AU - Burakov, B. E.

AU - Anderson, E. B.

AU - Rovsha, V. S.

AU - Ushakov, S. V.

AU - Ewing, R. C.

AU - Lutze, W.

AU - Weber, W. J.

N1 - Funding Information: This collaboration is supported by the NATO International Scientific Exchange Program. Parts of this work are supported by a grant from the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

PY - 1996

Y1 - 1996

N2 - A new method of synthesis for actinide-doped zircon is presented based on studies of zircons formed by crystallization from the reactor core melt generated in the course of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. These zircons have compositions in the range (Zr0.94,U0.06)SiO4 to (Zr0.9,U0.1)SiO4. Hot-pressing of oxides was studied to make Zr-based waste forms. The results demonstrate the efficacy of using metallic zirconium in synthesizing high-actinide zircons. In the event of deviations from zircon's ideal stoichiometry, ZrO2 forms, which is also an effective host phase for actinide elements. Waste streams high in zirconium and actinides could be converted into Zr-based waste forms. The adaptation and modification of the mixed-oxide reactor fuel (MOX) production process is proposed as a process for the production of (Zr,Pu)SiO4, a durable waste form for excess weapons plutonium.

AB - A new method of synthesis for actinide-doped zircon is presented based on studies of zircons formed by crystallization from the reactor core melt generated in the course of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. These zircons have compositions in the range (Zr0.94,U0.06)SiO4 to (Zr0.9,U0.1)SiO4. Hot-pressing of oxides was studied to make Zr-based waste forms. The results demonstrate the efficacy of using metallic zirconium in synthesizing high-actinide zircons. In the event of deviations from zircon's ideal stoichiometry, ZrO2 forms, which is also an effective host phase for actinide elements. Waste streams high in zirconium and actinides could be converted into Zr-based waste forms. The adaptation and modification of the mixed-oxide reactor fuel (MOX) production process is proposed as a process for the production of (Zr,Pu)SiO4, a durable waste form for excess weapons plutonium.

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M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:0029773473

SN - 0272-9172

VL - 412

SP - [d]33-39

JO - Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings

JF - Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings

T2 - Proceedings of the 1995 MRS Fall Symposium

Y2 - 27 November 1995 through 30 November 1995

ER -

Synthesis of zircon for immobilization of actinides

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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