Comparative Analysis of Glass and Ceramic-Based Waste Forms for High-Level Nuclear Waste

Abstract

The present report has compared glass and ceramic waste forms and analysed the challenges of managing high-level radioactive waste. This research evaluated different waste types for waste stream features, including materials science, repository design, long-term stability, environmental impact and economic feasibility. Therefore, the main aim of this project was to compare glass and ceramic waste forms. Glasses and ceramics were shown to immobilise HLW better when their crystalline lattice and amorphous structures were displayed. A direct comparison of waste forms based on typical waste stream features allowed for an in-depth examination of waste forms and compositions. The paper provides an overview of nuclear waste and its classification, as well as the historical development of glass and ceramic waste forms. The analysis compares the properties of borosilicate glasses and phosphate glasses, as well as other ceramic waste forms such as Synroc. Waste loading, robustness, manufacture, storage, and disposal were all considered when comparing the two waste forms. It was discussed that ceramics are durable and possess a high waste loading, whereas glasses are flexible and leaching-resistant. It was concluded that hybrid glass-ceramic composites could be very promising as they could achieve the benefits of both waste forms.