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An Evaluation of Single Phase Ceramic Formulations for Plutonium Disposition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2011

Martin Christopher Stennett
Affiliation:
m.c.stennett@shef.ac.uk, The University of Sheffield, Engineering Materials, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S2 4UG, United Kingdom, +44 (0)114 2225504, +44 (0)114 2225943
Ewan R Maddrell
Affiliation:
ewan.r.maddrell@nexiasolutions.com, Nexia Solutions Ltd., Sellafield, Seascale, CA20 1PG, United Kingdom
Charlie R Scales
Affiliation:
charlie.r.scales@nexiasolutions.com, Nexia Solutions Ltd., Sellafield, Seascale, CA20 1PG, United Kingdom
Francis R Livens
Affiliation:
francis.livens@manchester.ac.uk, University of Manchester, Chemistry, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
Matthew Gilbert
Affiliation:
Matthew.Gilbert-2@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk, University of Manchester, Chemistry, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
Neil C Hyatt
Affiliation:
n.c.hyatt@shef.ac.uk, University of Sheffield, Engineering Materials, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
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Abstract

Tailored ceramics are promising potential hosts for the immobilization of actinides [1]. In this study the potential of a range of different ceramic systems were investigated for the incorporation of waste plutonium, using Ce as a Pu surrogate. Durable actinide containing minerals exist in nature and provided excellent target phases for the titanate, zirconate, silicate and phosphate based formulations examined here [2]. The Ce single phase solid solution limits for each system were established and the processing parameters required to produce high quality ceramic specimens were optimised. Importantly, this was achieved within the constraints of a generic processing route suitable for fabrication of Pu bearing samples.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

REFERENCES

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