Micro-channel as a New Tool to Investigate Glass Dissolution Kinetics

A reliable modeling of the long-term dissolution of HLW glass requires sufficient evaluation of the glass dissolution kinetics including a sound understandings of reaction mechanism. For the evaluation of glass dissolution kinetics, we need much more data on the glass dissolution rate measured precisely, consistently and systematically under various well-constrained test conditions. The current standard test methods, unfortunately, cannot provide enough data for the kinetic evaluation. Therefore, we should improve or develop the test methods to provide precise and consitent data for the kinetic evaluation. In the present paper, therefore, major standard test methods currently applied to the measurement of glass dissolution are summarized with their advantages and disadvantages, and some newly developed test methods are introduced. In addition, problems to be solved are discussed to advance the kinetic evaluation.