Evaluation of Chemical Durability of Vitrified Forms for Simulated Radioactive Waste Using Product Consistency Test (PCT) and Vapor Hydration Test (VHT)

Two candidate glasses, AG8W1 and DG-2, have been developed for vitrifying the mixture of low activity resin, zeolite and Dry Active Waste (DAW), and DAW solely, respectively. In order to evaluate the chemical durability of the glasses, two different leaching tests, Product Consistency Test (PCT) and Vapor Hydration Test (VHT), have been performed. As the results of PCT performed from 7 to 120 days, the leach rates of B, Na, Si and Li in the glasses were much lower than those of the benchmark glass (SRL-EA). As the result of VHT performed for 7 days, the leach rates were 2 and for AG8W1 and DG-2, respectively, The results of VHT met the regulatory guideline (<50 g/m2/day) for the low activity glasses of Hanford in the USA. Consequently, two candidate glasses to be used at a commercial operation in the future showed that their chemical durability is satisfactory according to the results of two leaching tests.