bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Durable Self-Glowing Crystals as Advanced Materials for Actinide Immobilization
Authors: Burakov Boris E. , Zamoryanskaya Maria V. , Domracheva Yana V. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSome crystals doped with radionuclides glow in the dark. Such materials are prospective for certain industrial scale applications. Durable self-glowing crystalline solids, which were initially suggested for development of actinide waste forms, are considered as advanced materials. Well-known durable actinide host phases, such as zircon, xenotime, and monazite are main focus of current research. Single crystal samples of these host phases doped with 239Pu, 238Pu, 241Am and 237Np have been grown by flux methods. It is demonstrated that incorporation of small amounts of non-radioactive elements such as Eu, In and Tb increases the self-glowing intensity. The optimal content of such luminescence ions supporting intensive glowing of 238Pu-doped zircon and xenotime has, at first, been identified by cathodoluminescence study of non-radioactive samples. Subsequently, the results of this study were used to grow intensively glowing crystals of zircon and xenotime doped with 0.01 wt. % and 0.1 wt.% 238Pu, respectively.
Cementitious Wasteforms for Immobilization of Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes
Authors: Wellman Dawn , Bovaird Chase , Parker Kent , Cordova Elsa , Davis Aaron , Mattigod Shas , Powers Laura , Wood Marcus 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSolidification of low-activity wastes with cementitious materials is a widely accepted technique that contains and isolates waste from the hydrologic environment. The radionuclides I-129, Se-75, Tc-99, and U-238 are identified as long-term dose contributors. The anionic nature of these radionuclides in aqueous solutions allows them to readily leach into the subsurface environment. Any failure of concrete encasement may result in water intrusion and consequent mobilization of radionuclides from the waste packages via mass flow and/or diffusion into the surrounding subsurface environment. Assessing the long-term performance of waste grouts for encasement of radionuclides requires understanding the: 1) speciation and interaction of the radionuclides within the concrete wasteform, 2) diffusion of radionuclide species when contacted with vadose zone porewater or groundwater under environmentally relevant conditions, and 3) long-term durability and weathering of concrete waste forms. An improved understanding of the interactions of long-lived radionuclides in cementitious matrices will improve predictions of the long-term fate of these sequestered contaminants. An integrated laboratory investigation has been conducted including a: 1) multifaceted spectroscopic investigation to interrogate the speciation and interaction of radionuclides within concrete wasteforms, 2) solubility tests to quantify the stability of solid phases identified as radionuclide-controlling phases, 3) quantify the diffusion of radionuclides from concrete wasteforms into surrounding subsurface sediment under realistic moisture contents (4%, 7%, and 15% by weight moisture content), 4) quantify the long-term durability of concrete waste forms as a function environmental parameters relevant to depository conditions, and 5) identify the formation of secondary phases or processes (microcracking) that influence radionuclide retention. Data obtained from this investigation provides valuable information for understanding the speciation, behavior, and fate of radionuclides immobilized within concrete wasteforms under vadose zone conditions and underscores the necessity for robust, multi-disciplinary performance assessments for concrete waste forms.
Consistency of the strontium transport parameters in Boom Clay obtained from different types of migration experiments
Authors: Aertsens Marc , Maesa Norbert , Gompel Marc Van 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe consistency of migration parameters obtained by different methods is examined for strontium in Boom Clay. In addition to a previous in-situ percolation experiment and electromigration experiments (using an electrical field as driving force), a lab percolation test and two through-diffusion tests (on clay cores of different lengths) have been performed.All experiments lead to a robust value for the apparent diffusion coefficient of strontium between 5 ? 10−12m2/s and 1 ? 10−11m2/s.No reliable value is obtained for the product ηR of the diffusion accessible porosity and theretardation factor R. For one of the through-diffusion experiments, the concentration decrease inthe inlet as a function of time was fitted simultaneously with the strontium profile in the clay,leading to a ηR value around 400. Estimating ηR at the inlet/clay interface as the ratio of thebulk concentration and the pore water concentration leads to a similar value. The valuesobtained from the strontium profiles in the percolation and electromigration experiments are inline as well. However, fitting for both through-diffusion tests the outlet concentrations versustime leads to very low and unrealistic values of ηR (0.15 and 0.5).Modeling shows that the transport of strontium in Boom Clay cannot be satisfactorilydescribed with the current assumptions (like e.g. instantaneous linear sorption equilibrium andboundary conditions), meaning that there is a problem to obtain a reliable value for the product ηR for strontium in Boom Clay.
The Influence of Groundwater on the Stability of Silica Colloids
Authors: Holtta Pirkko , Lahtinen Mari , Hakanen Martti , Lehto Jukka , Juhola Piia 
Published: April 2011

AbstractNon-cementitious grouts have been tested in Olkiluoto for the sealing of fractures with the small hydraulic apertures. A promising non-cementitious inorganic grout material for sealing the fractures with the apertures less than 0.05 mm is commercial colloidal silica called silica sol. The potential relevance of colloid-mediated radionuclide transport is highly dependent on their stability in different geochemical environments. The objective of this work was to follow stability of silica sol colloids in low salinity Allard and saline OLSO reference groundwater (pH 7–11) and in deionized milliQ water. Stability of silica sol colloids was followed by measuring particle size distribution, zeta potential, colloidal and reactive silica concentrations. The particle size distributions were determined applying the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method and zeta potential based on dynamic electrophoretic mobility. The colloidal silica concentration was calculated from DLS measurements applying a calibration using a standard series of silica sol. Dissolved reactive silica concentration was determined using the molybdate blue (MoO4) method.These results confirmed that the stability of silica colloids dependent significantly on groundwater salinity. In deionized water, particle size distribution and zeta potential was rather stable except the most diluted solution. In low salinity Allard, particle size distribution was rather constant and the mean particle diameter remained less than 100 nm. High negative zeta potential values indicated the existence of stable silica colloids. In saline OLSO, particle size distribution was wide from a nanometer scale to thousands of nanometers. The disappearance of large particles, decrease in colloidal particle concentration and zeta potential near zero suggest flocculation or coagulation. Under prevailing saline groundwater conditions in Olkiluoto silica colloids released from silica sol are expected to be instable but the possible influence of low salinity glacial melt water has to be considered.
Migration Behavior of Potassium and Rubidium in Compacted Bentonite Under Reducing Condition With Iron Corrosion Product
Authors: Idemitsu Kazuya , Ikeuchi Hirotomo , Akiyama Daisuke , Inagaki Yaohiro , Arima Tatsumi 
Published: April 2011

AbstractCarbon steel overpack will corrode by consuming oxygen introduced by repository construction after closure of repository and then will keep the reducing environment in the vicinity of repository. The iron corrosion products can migrate in bentonite as ferrous ion through the interlayer of montmorillonite replacing exchangeable sodium ions in the interlayer. This replacement of sodium with ferrous ion may affect the migration behavior in the altered bentonite not only for redox-sensitive elements but also the other ions. Therefore the authors have carried out electromigration experiments of potassium or rubidium with source of iron ions supplied by anode corrosion of iron coupon in compacted bentonite. Five to fifteen micro liter of tracer solution containing 3.3 M of KCl or 2.2 M of RbCl was spiked on the interface between an iron coupon and bentonite, which dry density was around 1.4 Mg/m3, before assembling. The iron coupon was connected as the working electrode to the potentiostat and was held at a constant supplied potential between - 600 and 300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode for up to 8 days. Potassium could migrate faster and deeper in bentonite specimen than iron in each condition. On the other hand rubidium could migrate slower than iron. Migration velocity was a function of applied electrical potential and 8 to 14 nm/s for potassium, 5 to 10 nm/s for iron and 3 to 5 for rubidium, respectively. Dispersion coefficient was also a function of applied potential and 10 to 14 × 10−12 m2/s for potassium, 4 to 8 overv 10−12 m2/s for rubidium and 2 to 4 overv 10−12 m2/s for iron, respectively. Diffusion experiments were also carried out for comparison. Potassium and rubidium might migrate slightly slower in the altered bentonite by iron corrosion than in ordinary compacted bentonite.
Corrosion Behavior of High Burnup Spent Fuel in Highly Alkaline Solutions
Authors: Loida A. , Gens R. , Metz V. , Lemmens K. , Cachoir C. , Mennecart T. , Kienzler B. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis study is focused on the alteration behavior of spent nuclear fuel when exposed to highly alkaline groundwater. Contact of highly alkaline solution with the waste product is considered in the Belgian concept for disposal in the Boom Clay formation. According to the “supercontainer design” the fuel will be encapsulated in carbon steel canisters, surrounded by a concrete over-pack. After saturation of the engineered barriers by porewater, interactions with the concrete will result in solutions rich in NaOH, KOH and Ca(OH)2. Using this type of solution at pH 12.5, spent nuclear fuel corrosion experiments were conducted over 378 days. Under anoxic conditions, parallel experiments were performed (a) in the absence of Fe phases and (b) in the presence of solid Fe phases representing container (corrosion) products. Both types of experiments resulted in relatively low matrix dissolution rates, around 10-7 per day, according to the fractional release of Sr. Solution concentrations of actinides are close to or below the detection limit, indicating an effective retention of these radioelements in the system. The observed precipitation of a Ca rich phase onto the surfaces of the corroded fuel samples may be related to the inhibited re-lease of actinides, Sr and other matrix bound radioelements.
Synthesis and characterization of sodalite as matrix for conditioning chloride spent salts from pyroprocesses
Authors: Angelis G. De , Bardez-Giboire I. , Mariani M. , Capone M. , Chartier M. , Macerata E. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractTwo different methods have been used to synthesize sodalite for conditioning of chloride salt wastes coming from pyroprocesses: the first one, starting from kaolinite through the intermediate nepheline phase; the second one, starting from silica and sodium aluminate reagents, directly. The obtained products have been characterized by means of several analyses. In particular, different instrumental techniques – stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEMEDS), density measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, X-rays diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy – were performed revealing that the synthesis from kaolinite is the best method, provided that rigorous conditions are followed. The use of an argon atmosphere for the preparation of pellets of reagents is strictly necessary for the obtainment of a good quality product.
Complete Thermoelectric Generator Performance Measurement
Authors: Koenig Jan D. , Nussel Ulrike , Bartel Markus , Vetter Uwe 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe standardization of thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance measurement is of a major interest for a usage of them in industrial energy harvesting application. The effects influencing the TEG measurement are regarded and are addressed in this article. The dramatic influences of different measurement parameters are pointed out. The output power dependence on the contact pressure is investigated as a major attempt. The influence of contact pressure on the temperature of the TEG-substrate at the hot side is observed with a high resolution IR camera.Different approaches are discussed in order to obtain the accurate efficiency of a TEG. The heat flux method is influenced by many effects that can falsify the results. The Harman method is used as another approach to determine the figure of merit to calculate the efficiency.
Atomic Level Analysis of Amino Acids by the Scanning Atom Probe
Authors: Nishikawa Osamu , Taniguchi Masahiro , Ikai Atsushi 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAtom probe (AP) is known to be a unique instrument that makes possible to mass analyze a specimen at atomic level. However, its application is mostly limited to metals and semiconductors because the AP analysis proceeds by field evaporating surface atoms applying the high field, 20-40 V/nm, on the specimen surface. In order to generate such a high field the analyzed area is an apex of a sharp tip. Metals and semiconductors can be formed in such a sharp tip easily. However, the formation of a sharp organic and bio molecule tip is not easy. Thus, we introduced a funnel shaped micro extraction electrode that scans over a specimen surface and confines the high field in a narrow space between the micro open hole at the apex of the electrode and a micro protrusion on a specimen surface. Thus, this type of the AP is named as scanning atom probe (SAP). Then, organic and bio molecules can be deposited on the micro protrusion on the specimen surface. The AP analysis of metals indicates that the field evaporation of metal atoms proceeds one atom by one atom implying that the binding between metal atoms are uniform and non-directional. On the other hand most atoms of non-metallic specimens are field evaporated as clustering atoms. For example, doubly charged thiophene monomers are detected when polythiophene is analyzed. This indicates that one sulfur and four carbon atoms are strongly bound. Similarly, the mass spectra of highly pure single walled carbon nano tubes (SWCNT) exhibit sharp mass peaks of C2+ and C+ indicating that carbon atoms are bound by non-directional strong bonds. This implies that the unique feature of the AP is not only in the identification of individual ion but also in the investigation of binding states of the atoms forming the materials. For the present analysis amino acids are deposited on a small ball of the SWCNT fibers in order to avoid the catalytic reaction of metals. The SWCNT ball is dipped in a solution of sample molecules. The glycine solution is made by dissolving 1 gram of glycine in 15 ml pure water. Cystine, leucine and methionine solutions are made by dissolving 50 mg of the molecules in 1 ml of 0.1 N HCl. Discrimination of the carbon ions of the SWCNT from the fragment ions of the molecules is relatively easy because nearly all of the SWCNT carbon ions are detected as C2+ and C+. Glycine is the smallest amino acid formed by a carboxy group, an amino group and a CH2 group. Thus, it is assumed that the analysis will provide a guideline for the analysis of larger molecule. However, the identification of fragments ions is not easy because many different fragments have the same mass such as CH3 and NH. This indicates that mass analyzer for the bio-molecules requires a mass spectrometer with the mass resolution m/Δm higher than 10,000. The characteristic mass spectra of the amino acids and the structure of a new SAP with a position sensitive ion detector with a spiral delay line will be presented.
Electron Microscopy Characterization of Humidity Ball-Milling AlCuFe Intermetallic Powders
Authors: Patiño-Carachure C. , Téllez-Vazquez O. , Bedolla-Jacuinde A. , Esparza R. , Ángeles-Chávez C. , Perez R. , Rosas G. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAn Al58Cu25Fe17 alloy composition was produced by conventional casting technique. In order to take advantage from the hydrogen-environmental embrittlement reaction, which affects these alloys, this research was carried out subjecting prealloyed powders to wet-ball milling. Through these experiments it has been possible to evaluate the particle size reduction as consequence of hydrogen fracture and milling energy. The morphological and structural characteristics of the samples were performed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The experimental results indicate that the samples with higher contents of humidity have a good particle size reduction. With the increment of milling time, the particle size was diminished even more reaching nanometer size scale.
The Effect of Temperature and Time on the Formation of a Reaction Interlayer During Aluminizing of a Carbon Steel
Authors: Torres R. , López V.H. , Arredondo J.P. , García R. , Verduzco J.A. , Mondragón M.L. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTA kinetic study was performed on the growth of a reaction interlayer between molten Al and carbon steel substrates at temperatures between 665 to 820°C by holding Al/flux/steel assemblies, in a tube furnace, at temperature for times up to 120 min. An Ar atmosphere and a K-Al-F based flux were used to enable spreading of molten Al on the steel substrates. Chemical and microstructural characterization of the samples revealed that the interlayer is composed of FeAl3 and Fe2Al5, being the second phase significantly thicker. The Fe2Al5 phase grows toward the steel with a tongue like morphology. Isothermal growth profiles of the reaction interlayer followed a parabolic behavior, meaning that at the beginning the reaction is very rapid and once that a continuous interlayer is formed the growth of the interlayer is controlled by interdifussion of species across the interlayer.
Microstructural Characterization of 316L-Type Stainless Steel Exposed to SiFX Species in Argon Atmosphere
Authors: Gamón E. , Pech-Canul M. I. , López-Cuevas J. , Leal-Cruz A. L. , Pech-Canul M. A. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTNowadays, Si3N4 coatings are used to increase the hardness of 316L-type stainless steel for a wide variety of applications. These coatings are normally prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or variant techniques such as the hybrid solid-gas precursor system chemical vapor deposition (HYSYCVD), where Na2SiF6 is used as a solid precursor. Within the reaction chamber the Si-F gas species interact with nitrogen precursors to form Si3N4; however, during silicon nitride formation there is always certain amount of residual Si-F gas species which may affect the integrity of the steel surface. Therefore, in this work the effect of the Si-F species on the surface of 316L type stainless steel under argon atmosphere has been investigated. Stainless steel samples were prepared under two surface conditions (abraded and mirror polished), and were exposed to Si-F species considering various parameters such as: argon gas flow rate equal to 10 cm3/min, different temperatures (300, 500, 700, 900°C), and three exposure times (30, 60, 90 minutes). After exposure, the substrates were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the FeF2 phase is formed at low temperatures while the formation of different oxides is directly related to the processing temperature. What is more, these oxides are also strongly influenced by processing time; however temperature is the parameter that most significantly influences the oxides formation.
Flame Retardant Protective Coating Applied in Textile 100% Acrylic Fabrics
Authors: Olvera-Gracia M. , Kryshtab T. , Paniagua-Mercado A.M. , Aguilar-Hernández J. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTTextile 100 % acrylic fabrics have been used in tapestry for a long time. One of the drawbacks of this type of fabrics is its great flammability. Textile fabrics are coated with flame retardant in order to reduce the flammability. We present some results concerning the use of commercial products (Flame-Out, Borax (Na2B4O5(OH)4•8H2O), and Hexametaphosphate of Sodium (Na16P14O43) as flame retardants for textile 100 % acrylic fabrics. The flame retardant capabilities, mechanical properties and structural characteristics of the textile fabrics before and after the use of these products were investigated throughout the special textile methods for inflammability and mechanical resistibility as well as infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscopy. After the use of the flame retardants the mechanical properties of the fabrics were improved or at least remained the same as compared to fabrics without any treatment. The use of Borax / Hexametaphosphate from Sodium /Water results in the essential increase of combustion retardation time about 2 minutes as compared with 8 seconds for untreated fabrics.
Photopyroelectric Calorimeter for Phase Transitions Monitoring: Application to Chocolate
Authors: Martínez-Ordoñez E. I. , Marín E. , Díaz-Góngora J. A. I. , Calderón A. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTIn this work we report about the design and construction of a simple and cheap calorimeter for phase transitions monitoring using Peltier elements and based in the well known inverse (front) photopyroelectric method for thermophysical characterization of materials. We describe its application for the detection of phase transitions in chocolate samples, as an alternative, for example, to the most widely used and more expensive Differential Scanning Calorimetry technique. The manufacture of chocolate requires an understanding of the chemistry and the physical properties of the product. Thus the involved problems during the confection process are those of the so-called materials science. Among them, those related with tempering are of particular importance. Because the fats in cocoa butter experience the so-called polymorphous crystallization, the primary purpose of tempering is to assure that only the best form is present in the final product. One way to characterize this is by measurement of the temperature dependence of the thermal properties of the chocolate and the monitoring of the temperature at which phase transitions take place. We show that the photopyroelectric method, aided with Peltier cells temperature control, can be a useful choice for this purpose.