Recent developements in options for high-level waste solidification

Borosilicate glasses are widely considered to be acceptable first-generation high-level waste forms. They have flexible composition and proven radiation stability, and have been produced by remote operation in heavily shielded plant. However, their susceptibility to hydrothermal attack has led to the development of second-generation waste forms which may not be subject to this limitation, one of the most promising being Synroc B. A joint ANU-AAEC program is under way to show whether Synroc B can incorporate the full range of waste components and has good radiation stability, and to scale up fabrication techniques