Effects of temperature and radiation on the results of the nuclear waste glass product consistency leach test

Previous leach studies carried out with monolithic glass samples have shown that glass dissolution rates increase with increasing temperature and may or may not increase on exposure to external gamma radiolysis. In this study the authors have investigated the effects of temperature (50-120 degrees C) and radiation on the dissolution of three simulated nonradioactive nuclear waste glasses using the Product Consistency Test (PCT). The PCT is a seven day, crushed glass leach test in deionized water that is carried out at 90 degrees C. The temperature dependence for glass dissolution clearly exhibits Arrhenius-type behavior for two of the three glasses tested. For the third glass the dissolution decreases at the higher temperatures. The results indicate no significant effect of external Co-60 gamma radiation when testing various simulated waste glasses at 90 degrees C. Actual radioactive waste glasses will be investigated later as part of this study. 12 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs