This paper describes a first-of-a-kind study where lead tellurite (Pb-Te-O), iron phosphate (Fe-P-O), and lanthanide aluminoborosilicate (LABS) waste forms are evaluated for treating and/or immobilizing waste streams containing high rare-earth (RE) content, e.g., RECl3, REOCl, and/or REOx. Results from this study show that NdOCl can be immobilized in 78TeO2-22PbO glass at up to 10 mass%. Higher loadings of up to 15 mass% were demonstrated, but with a small fraction of crystallization. Two Fe-P-O glasses produced from either RECl3 (RE = Nd,Ce) or NdOCl revealed products with very similar properties, demonstrating that the phosphate process can be used to chlorinate a variety of RE-containing waste streams. Two LABS glasses produced from Nd2O3 or NdOCl showed similar properties, but the LABS-NdOCl glass did have some residual Cl present. Characterization is provided for all waste forms including chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, and bulk density.
Revised: July 16, 2020 |
Published: June 22, 2020
Citation
Riley B.J., and S. Chong. 2020.Glass waste form options for rare-earth fission products from electrochemical reprocessing.Journal of Non-crystalline Solids 545.PNNL-SA-152212.doi:10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2020.120161