Leach Rates of Lead-Iron Phosphate Glass Waste Forms

Lead-iron phosphate glasses loaded with simulated high-level nuclear wastes at temperatures between 900 and 1,100°C were studied on their soaking behavior in distilled water by means of leachate solution analysis. The obtained results showed that the leach rates of the glass waste forms were at least 10 to 100 times lower than that of the currently investigated borosilicate glass, even though the selective release of Na ion from the forms was observed. Zirconium of the waste led the glass to partial crystallization at 900°C, but was able to be incorporated in the glass at near 1,100°C. The liquid chromatographic analysis of poly-phosphate ions in the leachate solution revealed that the low leachability of the glass forms was brought about by a certain degree of depoly-merization of long poly-phosphate chains of lead metaphosphate caused by the addition of ferric oxide.