Stabilization/Solidification of Tritiated Water - 20135

Abstract

Tritiated water was stabilized/solidified by using calcium oxide and a polymer. First, tritiated water was changed into the powder form of calcium hydroxide by addition of tritiated water into calcium oxide. Then the produced calcium hydroxide was solidified in waste form by using a polymer binder. The specimens of waste form prepared by surrogate calcium hydroxide were subjected to compressive strength testing and water immersion testing. In addition, the specimens of waste form prepared by tritiated calcium hydroxide were subjected to leach testing. The mean compressive strength of the specimens containing 40 wt % of the surrogate calcium hydroxide was about 98.5 MPa (14,300 psi). After water immersion testing, there was no distinct change in the appearance of the specimens. The mean compressive strength of the specimens after water immersion was 79.1 MPa (11,470 psi). The mean diffusion coefficient of tritium for the specimens containing 40 wt% of tritiated calcium hydroxide was 5.4 x 10-10 cm{sup 2}/s. These findings indicate that the waste form has enough mechanical integrity and durability for final disposal and releases tritium very slowly. (authors)