Retention of technetium-99 by grout and backfill cements: Implications for the safe disposal of radioactive waste

Isaacs, Matthew; Lange, Steve; Deissmann, Guido; Bosbach, Dirk; Milodowski, Antoni E.; Read, David. 2020 Retention of technetium-99 by grout and backfill cements: Implications for the safe disposal of radioactive waste. Applied Geochemistry, 116, 104580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104580

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104580

Abstract/Summary

Technetium-99 (99Tc) is an important radionuclide when considering the disposal of nuclear wastes owing to its long half-life and environmental mobility in the pertechnetate (Tc(VII)) redox state. Its behaviour in a range of potential cement encapsulants and backfill materials has been studied by analysing uptake onto pure cement phases and hardened cement pastes. Preferential, but limited, uptake of pertechnetate was observed on iron-free, calcium silicate hydrates (C–S–H) and aluminate ferrite monosulphate (AFm) phases with no significant adsorption onto ettringite or calcium aluminates. Diffusion of 99Tc through cured monolithic samples, representative of cements being considered for use in geological disposal facilities across Europe, revealed markedly diverse migration behaviour, primarily due to chemical interactions with the cement matrix rather than differential permeability or other physical factors. A backfill cement, developed specifically for the purpose of radionuclide retention, gave the poorest performance of all formulations studied in terms of both transport rates and overall technetium retention. Two of the matrices, pulverised fuel ash: ordinary Portland cement (PFA:OPC) and a low-pH blend incorporating fly ash, effectively retarded 99Tc migration via precipitation in narrow, reactive zones. These findings have important implications when choosing cementitious grouts and/or backfill for Tc-containing radioactive wastes.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104580
ISSN:	08832927
Date made live:	11 Aug 2020 13:06 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528337

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104580

ISSN:

08832927

Date made live:

11 Aug 2020 13:06 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528337