Applications of Polymer-Impregnated Cement In the Field of Radioactive Wastes

Abstract

Waste forms usmg polyester (PE)-premixed cement and polymethyl methacrylate (PMJv1A)-impregnated cement matrices were prepared under different experimental conditions. The effect of polymer content, borate content and different water/cement ratios on the quality of the final waste forms were investigated. The aim was to defme the suitability, range of applicability, and compatibility of the inert cement matrix with polymer material relevant to the waste type used. namely borate waste, onginatmg from the pnmary coolant circuit of pressurized water reactor (PWR). The primary objectives were to provide possible options helping in choosing the proper immobilization media and to improve the quality of the fmal waste forms and process technology. Factors affecting the mechanical , thermal and chemical properties of the fmal waste forms (e.g. irradiation, thermal cycling, porosity, immersion, leaching....) were investigated aiming at evaluating the solidified waste forms and the suitability of the proposed inert matrices for the immobilization of borate waste. The main aim was to obtain fmal solid products having adequate physical, mechanical and