Abstract
The extent of the physico-chemical processes of concern in the study on the acceptability of the Belgian Eurobitum bituminised waste for underground disposal, will depend on the degree of ageing of the bituminous matrix. Therefore, the ageing of non-radioactive simulates of Eurobitum under gamma irradiation was studied both in the presence and absence of oxygen. Chemical changes in the bitumen structure were measured in the mid-infrared region with the attenuated total reflectance infrared technique (ATR/FTIR) and evaluation of the peaks at 1700 cm‑1 (C=O) and 1600 cm‑1 (C=C). Even for the highest total absorbed doses (~800 kGy at ~150 Gy/h), effects of the irradiation in Eurobitum were found to be small to moderate and were, in any case, smaller than for samples heated for three hours at 130°C in air.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Symposium Proceedings. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXIX |
| Place of Publication | Warrendale, United States |
| Pages | 689-696 |
| State | Published - Jun 2006 |
| Event | MRS 2005. 29th International Symposium on the Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management - SCK•CEN, Gent Duration: 12 Sep 2005 → 16 Sep 2005 |
Conference
| Conference | MRS 2005. 29th International Symposium on the Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management |
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| Country/Territory | Belgium |
| City | Gent |
| Period | 2005-09-12 → 2005-09-16 |