Mechanisms and Kinetics of Organic Aging and Characterization of Intermediates in High Level Waste

Camaioni, Donald M.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Electronic Structure;    Decision Making;    Aging;    Decay;    Kinetics;   

DOI  :  10.2172/834763
RP-ID  :  EMSP-81883-2003
RP-ID  :  834763

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The objective of this project is to characterize significant chemical degradation pathways of organic chemicals in stored high-level waste and waste treatment streams. The underlying chemistries of high-level waste are (1) the chemistry initiated by radioactive decay and the reactions initiated by heat from radioactive decay and (2) the chemistry resulting from waste management, and treatment activities (e.g., waste transfers, concentration through evaporators, caustic and other chemical additions, and separations operations). Recognizing that experiments cannot reproduce every conceivable scenario, the project works to develop predictive computational models of these chemistries. The effort is closely coordinated with a Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory project (EMSP No. 73832, ''The NOx System in Nuclear Waste'', D. Meisel, Principal Investigator) that focuses on radiolytically-induced degradation of organic complexants in waste simulants. Investigators combine experimental observations, electronic structure computations, and theoretical methods development to achieve this goal. The resulting models will facilitate accurate evaluation of the hazardous material generated, including flammable gases, and will support decision-making processes regarding safety, retrieval, treatment, and tank closure issues.