Immobilisation in Cement of Ion Exchange Resins Arising from the Purification of Reagents, Used for the Decontamination of Reactor Circuits. Second Semestrial Report January-July 1987

摘要

Decontamination of reactors normally results in large volumes of liquid effluent. At present the most effective method of reducing the volume of waste is to remove the activity by passing the solution through an ion exchange column. The aim of the programme at present is to show that ion exchange resins used to remove activity from decontaminating agents can be successfully immobilised in cement. To achieve this, blends of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and ground granulated Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) will be used initially. Initial results presented in a previous report showed that BFS blended with OPC in the ratio 9:1 produced a satisfactory product containing 40% ion exchange resin. Further work has now been undertaken to improve the product's properties and the waste loading. The use of microsilica, a finely divided form of silicon dioxide, has also been investigated as an additive to cement. This has resulted in a further improvement in the product's properties. The mechanical and rheological properties of waste forms incorporating microsilica have been investigated. The final part of the report deals with the immobilisation of ion exchange resin which has been treated with simulant decontaminating solution, together with an assessment of the effect of picolinic acid and formic acid on cement hydration. A new technique for measuring the expansion of grouts in the first 48 hours curing has been evaluated. (ERA citation 13:030008)