Vitrification technology for radioactive wastes

Amamoto, Ippei

Glass is a non-crystalline solid, as such, it is relatively easy to change its composition to control its characteristics. The borosilicate glass, which is produced by the addition of boron oxide into sodium-lime glass, possesses excellent heat-resistant properties and mechanical strength. It has a wide variety of uses. The borosilicate glass is applied as the vitrified medium for radioactive wastes to immobilize and stabilize them for long term. The glass form which is loaded with high-level radioactive waste is called the vitrified waste. This paper classified the radioactive waste and describes treatment and production methods of vitrified waste, its characteristics, disposal method and also introduces alternative vitrified medium.