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Division Spotlight
Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
Four million nuclear jobs by 2050: Who will do them?
Industry leaders from around the globe met this month to discuss the talent development that will be necessary for the long-term success of the nuclear industry.
The International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resources Development, hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency, was held in Vienna earlier this month. Discussed there was the agency’s forecast for nuclear capacity to more than double—or hopefully triple—by 2050 and the requirement of more than four million professionals to support the industry.
S. V. Panno*, P. Soo
Nuclear Technology | Volume 67 | Number 2 | November 1984 | Pages 268-281
Technical Paper | Radioactive Waste Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT84-A33516
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A study was conducted to investigate the possible changes in brine chemistry and alkalinity in a highlevel nuclear waste salt repository caused by the interaction of brine with gamma-irradiated host rock. The technique employed involves measurements of the pH and total base in solution of brines made from rock salt irradiated to doses between 107 and 1010 rad under various environmental conditions. The results show that the pH and total base of the brines increase with increasing irradiation of the parent rock salt. Rock salt samples, irradiated in the dry condition at 40°C, produce brines with pH and total base values that increase from 7.25 pH units and 0.14 microequivalent/gram (µeq/g) to upper limits of 9.25 pH units and 1.2 µeq/g, respectively. Samples, irradiated dry at 125 °C, produce brines with pH and total base values that increase to 9.60 pH units and 35 µeq/g, respectively. The increase in total base in the aforementioned brines is indicative of F-center formation (at 40°C) and sodium-colloid formation (at 125°C) in the salt. Saturated brines irradiated in the presence of rock salt at 125 °C, however, became progressively more acidic while brines made from the adjacent rock salt became increasingly basic. With respect to the high and low pH brines that may be adjacent to waste packages, corrosion resistance of metal containers and the leachability of the waste form may be compromised. Additional data will be required to quantify the behavior of these components under anticipated repository conditions.
