Actinide Solubility in Lanthanide Borosilicate Glass for Possible Immobilization and Disposition

Abstract

ABSTRACTImmobilization by vitrification is one potential disposition option for a portion of the United States’ excess plutonium inventory. Research has been performed to determine the glass forming region of a frit, plutonium and rare earth system. The frit contains mainly oxides of aluminum, silicon and boron; small amounts of ZrO2 and SrO are also included. The rare earth elements provide a flux to the glass during processing. The rare earths are also added as neutron absorbers (to prohibit criticality) in the final vitreous product.This report will show the compositional region, using Th as a Pu surrogate, that should be targeted in future studies for maximum Pu solubility in the lanthanide borosilicate glass system. Durability data and process variables will also be provided.