Chemical behavior of simulated bituminized products

Shigetome, Yoshiaki; not registered ; not registered

The bituminization demonstration facility (BDF) of Tokai reprocessing plant had a fire and explosion incident. Thermal analysis of simulated bituminized products was conducted to investigate the chemical behavior of them. This analysis detected no activating factors which enhance chemical heat reactions. According to the operators' observation, filling temperature of the bituminization product rose to an unusually high temperature before the incident. The overheating effect on the bituminized product was investigated by 'keeping high temperature' test. Hollows and brittle material were generated in the products after the heating. This state is similar to the actual state of the products processed in the BDF from 28 to 29 batch.