Preliminary Study on Solidification of Simulated Radioactive Resin Using Portland Cement

The solidification of radioactive Cs-containing ion-exchanging resins using ordinary Portland cement blending with zeolite, silica fume and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber was investigated. The compressive strength, impact resistance and leaching resistance of the cement waste forms were evaluated. The 28 d compressive strength of the cement waste forms is 11.34 MPa, the 42 d leaching rate and cumulative leaching fraction of Cs⁺ are 2.35×10^-4 cm/d and 3.66×10^-2 cm respectively, and the cement waste forms meet the requirements of soaking, freezing, irradiation and impact resistance tests. The experimental results show that PVA fiber can enhance the impact resistance of the cement waste forms, and such enhancement lasts even after γ irradiation. However, the leaching rate of Cs⁺ becomes higher after γ irradiation, and zeolite and silica fume can effectively reduce the leaching rate of Cs⁺.