Chemical Analysis of High-Level Radioactive Waste Glass by ICP-AES

The chemical composition of the high-level radioactive waste glass which was produced in the Windscale Vitrification Plant at Sellafield was determined by ICP-AES. The chemical analysis was performed in shielded cells and glove boxes at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. The sample was dissolved by alkaline fusion with sodium peroxide and acidic decomposition with hydrofluoric and perchloric acids for determining Si and B, and Li, Na, Mg, Al, P, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sr, Zr, Mo, La, Ce, Nd and U, respectively. High accuracy of the analytical results was confirmed by analyzing the refer-ence material of glass (NIST SRM1412) and a simulated inactive waste glass. The analytical results of the high-level radioactive waste glass were in good or fair agreement with the values estimated by British Nuclear Fuels plc, which were calculated from the analytical data of the high-level radioactive liquid waste and glass frit used in the production of the radioactive waste glass.