SYNROC process

According to researchers, furnaces for ceramic immobilization processes typically cost less than 1000 (D16044B, p. 155). According to the researchers, the SYNROC approach is only cost effective for large-scale applications (a large-scale application is assumed to produce 30-cm-diameter disks, each weighing approximately 30 kg). Cold press applications of the SYNROC process are more cost effective (D160429, pp. 255-256). No cost information is available for the Ceramification and SMITE processes. 

The SYNROC process (Ringwood 1978) for treating nuclear wastes is another example of immobilization. Certain chemicals are added to the nuclear waste, which is then sintered and produces a mixture of minerals (a SYNthetic ROCk) that are known to be stable under the range of geological conditions that can be expected at the disposal site. 

Allhough Ihe ceramification and SYNROC lechnologies are being researched to develop a final waste form for plutonium-contaminated materials, no experiments with plutonium have been performed. The SMITE process is designed for the treatment of solid, inorganic materials. The final waste form will leach in acidic solutions so storage in a basic environment is recommended. 

Smith, K. L. Lumpkin, G. R. 1993. Structural features of zirconolite, hollandite and perovskite, the major waste-bearing phases in Synroc. In Boland, J. N. Fitz Gerald, J. D. (eds) Defects and Processes in the Solid State Geoscience Applications. The McLaren Volume. Elsevier Science Publishers, B.V., 401-422. 

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