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The Immobilisation of Clinoptilolite Within Cementitious Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

L. E. Gordon ,
N. B. Milestone  and
M. J. Angus
L. E. Gordon
Affiliation:
Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Engineering Materials, University of Sheffield. Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD , UK. Phone: + 44 (0) 1142225973, Fax: + 44 (0) 114 222 5943, E-Mail: l.gordon@sheffield.ac.uk
N. B. Milestone
Affiliation:
Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Engineering Materials, University of Sheffield. Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD , UK. Phone: + 44 (0) 1142225973, Fax: + 44 (0) 114 222 5943, E-Mail: l.gordon@sheffield.ac.uk
M. J. Angus
Affiliation:
Nexia Solutions, Sellafield, Cumbria, UK.
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Abstract

The zeolitic ion exchanger clinoptilolite was encapsulated within various cementitious systems in order to assess their suitability for the retention of the radioelements, Cs and Sr. The pozzolanic reaction of clinoptilolite is reduced in composites containing BFS and PFA and appears not to continue after 7 days of hydration. Ca(OH)2 persists up to 360 days of hydration in a 9:1BFS:OPC system with 10% clinoptilolite added, despite the presence of unreacted pozzolan. This may be due to low pH of the pore solution, if Na and K act as counter cations in the aluminous C-S-H, a product of pozzolanic hydration or are exchanged onto the clinoptilolite. Saturation of the pore solution with Ca may prevent further dissolution of Ca(OH)2. Cs leaching occurs in all samples during accelerated tests due to breakdown of the clinoptilolite structure.

The alternative cement system calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA) has a different hydration chemistry and properties to OPC and OPC composites with a lower pore solution pH. Clinoptilolite appears to react in a hydrating CSA system with significant reaction continuing between 28 and 90 days of hydration. Leaching of Cs from CSA is higher than from an OPC system, in which almost all of the clinoptilolite crystallinity is lost. The major product of CSA hydration is ettringite. Cs may be adsorbed within cation sites of the C-S-H in an OPC system but not by ettringite which does not retain Cs so Cs has high mobility and leachability through the CSA matrix.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1107: Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXI , 2008 , 135
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2008

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References

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