Disposal strategy of proton irradiated mercury from high power spallation sources

Chiriki, Suresh

Book	PreJuSER-136200

Disposal strategy of proton irradiated mercury from high power spallation sources

Chiriki, S. (Corresponding author)FZJ*

2010
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Zentralbibliothek, Verlag Jülich
ISBN: 978-3-89336-632-3

Jülich : Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Zentralbibliothek, Verlag, Schriften des Forschungszentrums Jülich. Reihe Energie und Umwelt / Energy und Environment 67, XIV, 124 S. (2010) = RWTH Aachen, Diss., 2010

Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/3740

Abstract: Large spallation sources are intended to be constructed in Europe (EURISOL: nuclear physics research facility and ESS: European Spallation Source). These facilities would accumulate more than 20 metric tons of irradiated mercury in the target, which has to be treated as highly radioactive and chemo-toxic waste. Liquid waste cannot be tolerated in European repositories. As part of this work on safety/decommissioning of high-power spallation sources, our investigations were focused mainly to study experimentally and theoretically the solidification of liquid mercury waste (selection of an adequate solid mercury form and of an immobilization matrix, chemical engineering process studies on solidification/stabilization and on encapsulating in a matrix). Based on experimental results and supported by literature Hg-chalcogens (HgS, HgSe) will be more stable in repositories than amalgams. Our irradiation experimental studies on mercury waste revealed that mercury sulfide is a reasonable solid for disposal and shows larger stability in possible accidents with water ingress in a repository. Additionally immobilization of mercury in a cement matrix and polysiloxane matrix were tested. HgS formation from liquid target mercury by a wet process is identified as a suitable formation procedure. These investigations reveal that an almost 99.9% elementary Hg conversion can be achieved and that wet process can be reasonably handled under hot cell conditions.

Keyword(s): radioactive waste disposal ; radioactive waste ; mercury ; solidification

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Note: Record converted from JUWEL: 18.07.2013
Note: RWTH Aachen, Diss., 2010

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