Effect of 238Pu Alpha Decay on the Properties of Borosilicate Glass at Experimental and Demonstration Center of Mining Chemical Combine

• Published in: Radiochemistry (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2023-06, Vol.65 (3), p.302-310
• Main Authors: Aloy, A. S., Karpovich, N. F., Kol’tsova, T. I., Murzin, A. A., Slastikhina, P. V., Yandaev, D. M., Dmitrieva, O. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alpha decay; Alpha particles; Alpha rays; Autoradiography; Borosilicate glass; Chemical analysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Density; Leaching; Nuclear Chemistry; Plutonium; Radioactive wastes; Reprocessing; Spectrometry; Turbidity
• ISSN: 1066-3622; 1608-3288
• DOI: 10.1134/S1066362223030050

An effect of intensive alpha radiation of 238 Pu (content in glass up to 4.0 wt %) on the properties of borosilicate glass (BSG) of the Experimental and Demonstration Center at the Mining and Chemical Combine (EDC MCC) for SNF reprocessing was examined . The characteristics of the BSG were studied immediately after preparing the samples and upon set the dose induced by alpha decays in the sample unit volume (α/cm 3 ). The 238 Pu uniform distribution in the samples was proved by autoradiography and destructive chemical analysis with α-spectrometric ending. The density of the BSG samples was in the range of 2.71–2.72 g/cm 3 depending on the plutonium content and did not change with time. The 238 Pu leaching rate on the 28th day at 90°С for two parallel glass samples with a cumulative dose of 1.70 × 10 18 α/cm 3 was 5.0 × 10 –7 g/(cm 2 day), which corresponds to the values regulated by the requirements (NP-019-15: Collection, processing, storage, and conditioning of liquid radioactive waste. Safety requirements). The amorphous structure of the sample was preserved at a dose load of 3.2 × 10 18 α/cm 3 of glass, its density did not vary, and the surface had a vitreous shine. Defects such as crack, chip, turbidity were not found on them.