Geopolymer technology for solidifying radioactive waste

With the aim of application to the treatment of radioactive waste with high radioactivity concentration, a manufacturing test was conducted to study a method for making a solidified geopolymer using only powder without adding water to the raw material. The goal was to produce a homogeneous solid body of geopolymer with a uniaxial compressive strength greater than the target value of 1.47 MPa. Water is necessary for the solidification reaction of the geopolymer, and it was found that using an evaporation control lid and heating at a temperature of approximately 60℃ or lower are effective in keeping water in the solidified body for an extended period of time. This paper reports on Kobe Steel's efforts regarding the solidification technology using geopolymers. © 2020 Kobe Steel Ltd. All rights reserved.