Evaluation of assembled organics liquids incorpo-ration in geopolymer matrix: case of viscous oils and greases
Abstract
The nuclear industry produces various types of waste due to its activities (production, opera-tion, decommissioning). For the main part of them, treatment solutions exist, but for others, there is no disposal route and they are stored waiting for a sustainable solution, which includes organic liquids. Currently, incineration is the preferred way to deal with oils and organics liq-uids. However, for this type of process, the waste must satisfy some criteria such as limited alpha/beta activity, fluidity and low concentrations of halogens, sulphur and heavy metals. High viscosity oils and fats represent a small percentage of organic waste without reference treatment. Due to their radioactivity, little information on their chemical composition and rheo-logical properties is available. Our study focuses on the direct immobilization of viscous oils and greases in a geopolymer matrix. In order to incorporate these organic liquids into the material, they must first be made suitable for the GEOIL processing route. The method selected is the assembly of these vis-cous oils and greases with low viscosity organic liquids. Two organic liquids were studied, dodecane and a mixture of tributyl-phosphate (TBP)/dodécane (30/70%Vol.)The second one is currently considered a waste. Its use would allow the elimination of two wastes into a single process. Our research presents the method used, the rheology of viscous oils and greases, the as-sembly rates used, the mechanical strengths of the composites, but also the microstructure and durability of these materials. The first results show a possible incorporation of viscous oils and greases previously assembled with the solvents investigated.