A systemic approach for the characterization of ion exchange in the altered layer of a non-radioactive nuclear glass

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 57; no. 16; pp. 3427 - 3438
• Main Authors: Blet, Vincent, Rudloff, David, Berne, Philippe, Jollivet, Patrick, Schweich, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Chemical industry and chemicals; Diffusion; Exact sciences and technology; Gels; Glasses; Ion exchange; Nuclear glass; Parameter identification; Pollution; Radioactive wastes; Structure, analysis, properties; Systemic approach; Wastes; Nuclear glass; Gels; Ion exchange; Diffusion; Parameter identification; Systemic approach; Sodium Ions; Heat treatment; Stabilization; Waste treatment; Isotope exchange; Vitrification; High level radioactive waste; Material weathering; Borosilicate glass; Solidification; Colloidal gel; Sodium Isotopes; Ion scattering; Sodium 22; Lixiviation; Properties of materials; Sodium 23; Conditioning; Hydrogen Ions
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/S0009-2509(02)00208-7

In order to correctly design the storage of nuclear wastes in nuclear glasses it is necessary to characterize the mechanisms of migration of silicon especially in the gel layer which forms at the glass/environment interface. Among the different available techniques, the chromatography theory coupled with the systemic approach developed by Villermaux and coworkers is particularly indicated when dealing with trace level ion-exchange processes. This paper illustrates the advantages and limitations of this methodology through the study of 23 Na/ 22 Na isotopic exchange and 23 Na/H ion-exchange processes. Despite the fact that the coefficient of ionic diffusion is determined with a worse accuracy than with the classical “through diffusion” technique, the interest of such a methodology lies not only in the richness of the collected information on the underlying processes occurring in the migration of the studied species, but also in the easiness and rapidity of related experiments.