Development of cesium containing glass for gamma irradiator

Abstract

Cesium137 is considered an alternative candidate for the gamma source to be used in irradiators in place of CO60 because it is a long-lived gamma emitter and is a by-product of nuclear fission. Large quantities of Cs137 have been present in stored fission product high level waste and much larger quantities are potentially available from the operation of nuclear power reaction. Cs is isolated from the high level waste by Cs specific sorbant and converted in to glassy form to have safe use of highly radiotoxic isotope for irradiators in public domain. Several glass compositions containing Cs (Cs137-simulation) in the ternary system of Cesium Iron Phosphate (Cs2O-Fe2O3-P2O 5), Cesium Borosilicate (Cs2O-B2O 3-SiO2) and quaternary system of Cesium Sodium Borosilicate (Cs2O-Na2O-B2O3- SiO2), Cesium Lithium Borosilicate (Cs2O-Li 2O-B2O3-SiO2) with minor additives like Al, Zn with varying concentration of Cs2O were prepared. Basic characteristics like fusion temperature, pouring temperature, homogeneity of the melt and its durability at room temperature in air (Hygroscopic nature) were noted for screening probable candidate glass formulation. The selected glass formulation was further characterized for its thermal properties like volatility loss at melting temperature, glass transition temperature and linear expansion coefficient by thermal analyzer and homogeneity by SEM/EDX and XRD. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.