Characterization of uranium corrosion product colloids by dynamic light scattering.

Mertz, C. ; Bowers, D. ; Goldberg, M. ; Shelton-Davis, C.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Colloids;    Uranium;    Spent fuels;    Radioactive waste disposal;    Corrosion products;   

RP-ID  :  DE2001768626

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

The Department of Energy plans to dispose of approximately 2100 metric tons of spent metallic uranium fuel in the mined repository at Yucca Mountain. Laboratory studies at Argonne National Laboratory have shown that corrosion of metallic uranium fuel with groundwater generates significant quantities of stable colloids. This finding is considered very important in light of the recent report (1) of rapid subsurface transport of radionuclides at the Nevada Test Site via colloids. Thus, sparingly soluble radionuclides can be transported with the colloids through the subsurface aqueous environment to much greater distances than is predicted based on the aqueous volubility of the radionuclides alone. Accordingly, characterization of colloids generated by fuel corrosion is necessary for assessing the long-term fate and transport of radionuclides in the repository environment.