Crystallization Performance of Simulated High-Level Waste Glasses

Abstract

Abstract: The simulated high-level waste (HLW) glass containing 16% (mass fraction) nuclear waste was prepared by the Joule-heated, ceramic-lined melter. In this work, the crystallization behavior and thermal stability of waste glass under different heating temperatures were investigated. The results show that some of the waste glass in the actual production and storage process has appeared diopside phase, and the crystallization activation energy of the crystal glass is lower than the waste glass 40 kJ/mol to 60 kJ/mol. Upon heat treatment the glass at 700 ℃ to 900 ℃ develops diopside phase and the apparent color of nuclear waste glass also changes with the increase of crystallinity. Correlation between crystallization and thermal history can facilitate a more realistic prediction of crystallization in waste glass. The results of this initial study provide a theoretical guidance for the operational plant parameters for HLW glass manufacture.

Key words: simulated high level waste, waste glass, crystallization behavior, thermal stability, diopside

CLC Number:

TQ171

MENG Baojian, ZHU Yongchang, JIAO Yunjie, ZHAO Chong, WAN Wei, HAN Xu, CUI Zhu, YANG Debo. Crystallization Performance of Simulated High-Level Waste Glasses[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2021, 40(10): 3516-3522.

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