The effect of incorporating Cs, Sr and Eu nitrates on the matrix development of Fe-rich polymers

IF 1.9 3区工程技术 Q1 NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Nuclear Engineering and Design Pub Date : 2025-02-04 DOI:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2025.113895

Evangelia D. Mooren , Walter Bonani , Antonio Bulgheroni , Jorn Van De Sande , Glenn Beersaerts , Sonja Schreurs , Rudy J.M. Konings , Wouter Schroeyers

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Radionuclides like ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr and ^152+154Eu need to be immobilised from liquid radioactive waste to a suitable final encapsulation matrix. Alkali-activated Materials (AAMs) have the potential to be more effective in immobilising Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ than Portland cement because they can produce stable phases and incorporate them into their structure. Less explored in AAMs is their capacity to immobilise Eu-ions. Nanoparticles are investigated for extracting radionuclides from liquid radioactive waste. CeO₂ nanoparticles have exhibited great potential in their ability to sorb Eu³⁺ but after several adsorption/desorption cycles also these need to be immobilised into a final encapsulation matrix. In this work, AAMs were prepared from synthetic Fe-rich slag. Two sodium silicate ratios were examined and the AAMs were doped with various mixtures of CsNO₃, Sr(NO₃)₂, Eu(NO₃)₃, and CeO₂ nanoparticles. Contaminants added to the AAM matrices can change the properties of the encapsulation system. To understand the impact on the AAM structure and to determine whether the effects are derived from the simulated radioactive Cs⁺, Sr^2+, and Eu³⁺, the presence of the CeO₂ nanoparticles or the presence of the nitrate ions, samples were examined during their matrix development using isothermal calorimetry, and investigations were made on their microstructural and physicochemical characteristics. The introduction of Cs⁺ to the matrix showed no notable impact on the activation kinetics, but Eu³⁺ seems to form Eu(OH)₃ similarly to Sr²⁺ which forms Sr(OH)₂ reducing the available hydroxides during the activation and ultimately hindering the polymerisation.

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来源期刊

Nuclear Engineering and Design 工程技术-核科学技术

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

11.80%

发文量

377

审稿时长

5 months

期刊介绍： Nuclear Engineering and Design covers the wide range of disciplines involved in the engineering, design, safety and construction of nuclear fission reactors. The Editors welcome papers both on applied and innovative aspects and developments in nuclear science and technology. Fundamentals of Reactor Design include: • Thermal-Hydraulics and Core Physics • Safety Analysis, Risk Assessment (PSA) • Structural and Mechanical Engineering • Materials Science • Fuel Behavior and Design • Structural Plant Design • Engineering of Reactor Components • Experiments Aspects beyond fundamentals of Reactor Design covered: • Accident Mitigation Measures • Reactor Control Systems • Licensing Issues • Safeguard Engineering • Economy of Plants • Reprocessing / Waste Disposal • Applications of Nuclear Energy • Maintenance • Decommissioning Papers on new reactor ideas and developments (Generation IV reactors) such as inherently safe modular HTRs, High Performance LWRs/HWRs and LMFBs/GFR will be considered; Actinide Burners, Accelerator Driven Systems, Energy Amplifiers and other special designs of power and research reactors and their applications are also encouraged.