The Improvement of the Mechanical Stability and Leachability of Bituminized Waste Form of Radioactive Ash by Addition of Reused Polyethylene

Jong-Sik Shon; Sung-Ho Lee; Hee-Seoung Park; Kil-Jeong Kim; Duck-Kee Min

Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.18, No.5, 668-672, September, 2001

Jong-Sik Shon^†, Sung-Ho Lee, Hee-Seoung Park, Kil-Jeong Kim, and Duck-Kee Min

KAERI, P. O. BOX 105, Yusong, Daejeon 305-600, Korea

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This study was carried out in order to produce bituminized waste forms, which have dimensional and mechanical stability like cement-based waste forms. This paper reports the effects of adding polyethylene (PE) to the bituminized waste form. The additive used for the experiment was the spent PE generated from agricultural use. The bitumen used in the sample preparation is straight-run distillation bitumen of penetration 60/70 (paving asphalt). The waste used for the experiment was a bottom ash generated from an industrial (inactive) waste incinerator. Bituminized waste forms with PE contents of 5 wt% or more resulted in maintaining dimensional and mechanical stability. The compressive strength and softening point of bituminized waste forms increase in proportion to the amount of additional PE. The leaching test using ANS 16.1 shows that the principal leaching mechanism of elements (Cs, Sr, Co) from bituminized waste forms is diffusion. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that additive PE of 5-10 wt% does not change the leaching mechanism, and bituminized waste forms maintain a high leach resistance.

Keywords:Bituminized Waste Forms;Polyethylene;Radioactive Waste;Bituminization

[References]

American Nuclear Society, "Measurement of the Leachability of Solidified Low-level Radioactive Wastes by a Short-term Test Procedure," ANSI/ANS 16.1 (1986)
Colombo P, Doty R, Dougherty D, Fuhrmann M, "Leaching Mechanisms of Solidified Low-Level Waste the Literature Survey," BNL-51899 (1985)
Henkel RN, "Polyethylene and Ethylene Copolymers," McGraw-Hill Publications Co., New York, 61(1) (1984)
Swindlehurst DP, Doyle RD, Mattus AJ, "The use of Bitumen in the Stabilization of Mixed Wastes," ASTM STP 1033, Philadelphia, 21 27 (1989)
IAEA, "Bituminization of Radioactive Wastes," Technical Report Series No 116, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (1970)
IAEA, "Bituminization Processes to Condition Radioactive Wastes," Technical Report Series No. 352, Vienna (1993)
IAEA, "Treatment of Spent Ion-Exchange Resins for Storage and Disposal," Technical Report Series No. 254, Vienna (1985)
Machiels AJ, "Modeling of Waste form Leaching, Part I Status of Leaching Modeling," Techinal Report, UILU-ENG-82-5319, University of Illinois (1982)
Mattus CH, Gilliam TM, "A Literature Review of Mixed Waste Components: Sensitives and Effects upon Solidification/Stabilization in Cement-based Matrices," ORNL/TM-12656 (1994)
NRC, "Low-level Waste Licensing Branch Technical Position on Waste Form," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (1983)
Rodier J, Lefillater G, Rodi L, Cudel Y, Enrobage des Concentrats d'Evaporation par le Bitume - Etat d' avancement No. 1. Rep. CEA-R 3632 (1968)
Thomas GF, "Diffusional Release of a Single Component Material from a Finite Cylindrical Waste Form," Ann. Nucl. Energy, V14.283 (1987)
Williamson AS, "Aqueous Radioactive Waste Bituminization," Ontario Hydro 80-230-K (1980)

[1] American Nuclear Society, "Measurement of the Leachability of Solidified Low-level Radioactive Wastes by a Short-term Test Procedure," ANSI/ANS 16.1 (1986)

[2] Colombo P, Doty R, Dougherty D, Fuhrmann M, "Leaching Mechanisms of Solidified Low-Level Waste the Literature Survey," BNL-51899 (1985)

[3] Henkel RN, "Polyethylene and Ethylene Copolymers," McGraw-Hill Publications Co., New York, 61(1) (1984)

[4] Swindlehurst DP, Doyle RD, Mattus AJ, "The use of Bitumen in the Stabilization of Mixed Wastes," ASTM STP 1033, Philadelphia, 21 27 (1989)

[5] IAEA, "Bituminization of Radioactive Wastes," Technical Report Series No 116, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (1970)

[6] IAEA, "Bituminization Processes to Condition Radioactive Wastes," Technical Report Series No. 352, Vienna (1993)

[7] IAEA, "Treatment of Spent Ion-Exchange Resins for Storage and Disposal," Technical Report Series No. 254, Vienna (1985)

[8] Machiels AJ, "Modeling of Waste form Leaching, Part I Status of Leaching Modeling," Techinal Report, UILU-ENG-82-5319, University of Illinois (1982)

[9] Mattus CH, Gilliam TM, "A Literature Review of Mixed Waste Components: Sensitives and Effects upon Solidification/Stabilization in Cement-based Matrices," ORNL/TM-12656 (1994)

[10] NRC, "Low-level Waste Licensing Branch Technical Position on Waste Form," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (1983)

[11] Rodier J, Lefillater G, Rodi L, Cudel Y, Enrobage des Concentrats d'Evaporation par le Bitume - Etat d' avancement No. 1. Rep. CEA-R 3632 (1968)

[12] Thomas GF, "Diffusional Release of a Single Component Material from a Finite Cylindrical Waste Form," Ann. Nucl. Energy, V14.283 (1987)

[13] Williamson AS, "Aqueous Radioactive Waste Bituminization," Ontario Hydro 80-230-K (1980)