Title: Immobilization of Technetium in Blast Furnace Slag Grouts

Author(s): R. D. Spence, W. D. Bostick. E. W. McDaniel, T. M. Gilliam, J. L. Shoemaker, O. K. Tallent, I. L. Morgan, B. S. Evans-Brown, and K. E. Dodson

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 114

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1579-1596

Keywords: blast furnace slag; diffusivity; grout; leaching; technitium; nitrate minerals; waste treatment; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/1913

Date: 5/1/1989

Abstract:
Blast furnace slags have been successfully used to reduce the leachability of technetium from cement-based waste forms because the slag produces a less permeable product or reduces the pertechnetate to a less mobile form. Waste contaminated with technetium is of particular concern to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency because of its mobility as the pertechnetate ion. Results on the technetium leachability of cement-based waste forms with and without a slag component and for different slags are presented. The mass transfer parameter (e.g., diffusivity) for leaching technetium from these waste forms decreased by five orders of magnitude when slag was used (i.e., using slag can increase the ANS 16.1 leachability index by five). Results of bulk and surface examinations of the slags are presented.