Leaching behavior of simulated bituminized radioactive waste form under deep geological conditions

Nakayama, Shinichi ; Iida, Yoshihisa ; Nagano, Tetsushi  ; Akimoto, Toshiyuki

Leaching behavior of synthetic bituminized waste form was studied to inquire data for performance assessment of the geologic disposal. Laboratory-scale leaching tests were performed. The bituminized samples were contacted with an alkaline solution representing cement-contacting groundwater, with a saline solution simulating seawater for a possible repository construction at the coastal area, and with deionized water as reference. The release of soluble components, Na and Cs, was enhanced by the swelling, and considered to be diffusion controlled in the swelled layers of the specimens. The release of insoluble components such as Ba and Np was solubility-limited in addition to control by the progression of leaching. Neptunium, a redox-sensitive element, showed a distinct difference in release reflecting the difference between the anoxic and atmospheric conditions. The concentrations of Pu were below the detection limit ( mol/L) under all of the leaching conditions in this study.