The effect of high-level waste glass composition on spinel liquidus temperature

Spinel crystals precipitate in high-level waste glasses containing Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Zn, and Ru. The liquidus temperature (TL) of spinel as the primary crystallization phase is a function of glass composition, and the spinel solubility (c0) is a function of both glass composition and temperature (T). Previously reported models of TL as a function of composition are based on TL measured directly, which requires laborious experimental procedures. Viewing the curve of c0 versus T as the liquidus line allows a significant broadening of the composition region for model fitting. This paper estimates TL as a function of composition based on c0 data obtained with the X-ray diffraction technique.

► Spinel is the primary crystalline phase in most US wastes from Pu production.
► Major spinel components in nuclear waste are Cr2O3, NiO, and Fe2O3.
► Our study estimates liquidus temperature (TL) of waste glasses from XRD data.
► Good agreement was found between measured and estimated TL.
► Our method broadens the composition region for model fitting.