Evaluation of the Properties of Cemented Liquid Scintillator Wastes under Flooding Scenario in Various Aqueous Media

Experiments simulating flooding scenario in various aqueous media for a long period were carried out to determine the adequacy of cement-clay composite for solidification/stabilization of spent organic radioactive liquid scintillator wastes. The final cement waste form blocks were immersed in three aqueous media, namely, seawater, groundwater, and tapwater. The immersion process lasted for increasing periods up to 540 days. Following each predetermined interval period, physical and mechanical evaluations of the immersed blocks were determined. In addition, the change in the hydration products was followed by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy as nondestructive analyses to recognize the deterioration in the microstructure that may occur due to the flooding event. Thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy were performed to confirm the data obtained.