NSUF 19-1720: Characterization of alpha irradiated and control cementitious grouts / grout components used for nuclear waste encapsulation
This project aims to investigate changes in cement microstructure and chemistry resulting from radiation damage simulating alpha decay. Cementitious grouts are used to encapsulate nuclear waste, forming a physical and chemical barrier to prevent the release of radionuclides into the environment through long term storage and disposal. The impact of alpha decay on the microstructural and chemical evolution of these cements is not well understood. It is proposed that investigation of morphological and chemical changes using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy will be completed. This is the first study that will employ these characterization techniques on samples that have undergone ion irradiation to simulate damage from alpha decay and will supply information on potential changes to the material that may affect performance, together with details of the mechanisms by which radiation damage occurs providing data to build the safety case for disposal of nuclear waste. It will also provide proof of concept for ion acceleration simulating alpha decay in cements which has not been undertaken previously. The outcome of the experiment is the study of the physico-chemical properties of the blended cement paste to understand how alpha radiation affects the microstructure; does the accumulation of ionisation effects and point defects manifest as radiohalos as seen in silicate minerals, the presence of which may indicate structural alterations that impact the materials capacity to sorb radionuclides. The samples will be available from the end of June, and experiments will be completed in a single session of 16 days between July and September.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | This project aims to investigate changes in cement microstructure and chemistry resulting from radiation damage simulating alpha decay. Cementitious grouts are used to encapsulate nuclear waste, forming a physical and chemical barrier to prevent the release of radionuclides into the environment through long term storage and disposal. The impact of alpha decay on the microstructural and chemical evolution of these cements is not well understood. It is proposed that investigation of morphological and chemical changes using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy will be completed. This is the first study that will employ these characterization techniques on samples that have undergone ion irradiation to simulate damage from alpha decay and will supply information on potential changes to the material that may affect performance, together with details of the mechanisms by which radiation damage occurs providing data to build the safety case for disposal of nuclear waste. It will also provide proof of concept for ion acceleration simulating alpha decay in cements which has not been undertaken previously. The outcome of the experiment is the study of the physico-chemical properties of the blended cement paste to understand how alpha radiation affects the microstructure; does the accumulation of ionisation effects and point defects manifest as radiohalos as seen in silicate minerals, the presence of which may indicate structural alterations that impact the materials capacity to sorb radionuclides. The samples will be available from the end of June, and experiments will be completed in a single session of 16 days between July and September. |
| Award Announced Date | 2019-05-14T13:51:19.45 |
| Awarded Institution | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory |
| Facility | Radiochemical Processing Laboratory |
| Facility Tech Lead | Kory Linton, Stuart Maloy |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Sarah Kearney |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 1720 |