Comparison of mathematical interpretation in radioactive waste leaching studies

Transport phenomena involved in the leaching of a radioactive material from a concrete composite matrix into surrounding water are investigated using three methods based on theoretical equations. These are: a diffusion equation derived for a plane source model, a rate equation for diffusion coupled with a first-order reaction and an empirical method employing a polynomial equation. The results are compared with respect to their applicability to the 137Cs leaching data. The results presented in this paper are part of those obtained in a 25-year mortar and concrete testing project which will influence the design of radioactive waste management for a future Serbian radioactive waste disposal center. (author)