Aerosols from simulated high level waste at high temperatures

The paper deals with the study of aerosol formation from the high level radioactive waste (HLW) separated by the nuclear fuel reprocessing. In case of a failure of external cooling during its storage, the HLW will generate a considerable amount of heat by its own nuclear decay and hence the formation of radioactive aerosols. The aerosol formation is investigated with a simulated HLW containing only fission products, which is dried and calcinated prior to experiment, in an integrated experimental system at different temperatures, from 800 deg C to 1100 deg C. The generated aerosols are collected on a filter for the analysis of chemical composition and at the same time measured directly by an electrostatic or an optical aerosol analyzer for the characterization of particle size. Based on the result, the insight into the aerosol formation is obtained and the probable formation processes are discussed. (author)