Pyrochlore-rich Synroc for Immobilization of Actinides

Pyrochlore rich synroc waste form with actinides waste loading 46.8 % is fabricated to evaluate its properties for containing actinides. Its physical properties, phase assemblages and microstructures are determined by using water immersion technique, vickers indentation technique, X ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer (TEM/EDS). The durability test is carried out by using product consistency test (PCT) method, leachate is analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma/mass spectroscopy (ICP/MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy(AAS). The radiation stability of pyrochlore phase is determined through heavy ion irradiation on tandem and characterized by XRD and TEM. The results indicate that pyrochlore rich synroc is a suitable host for separated actinides.