Leach and corrosion tests under normal and accident conditions on cement products from simulated intermediate level evaporator concentrates

Cesium leach tests at ambient temperature and pressure show that tap water, distilled water, and sodium chloride solutions cause no or only very slight corrosion of cemented evaporator concentrates prepared from various types of cement with or without various additives. Salt brine is very corrosive to cement products; the corrosion rate depends on the composition and cement type. Cesium leaching follows a diffusion controlled mechanism in distilled water, sodium chloride solution, and salt brine but only to the point where disintegration occurs. In tap water cesium leaching does not follow a single diffusion mechanism. Leach tests at elevated temperatures and pressures show that cesium leaching in salt brine for relatively short leach times is independent of preparation conditions and pressure but depends on the cement type. The corrosion resistance of cemented evaporator concentrates is better than that of salt-free cements