Volatilization of 137Cs and 106Ru from Borosilicate Glass Containing Actual High-Level Waste

Volatility of ¹³⁷ Cs and ¹⁰⁶Ru from borosilicate glass containing actual high-level waste was measured in an almost closed stainless-steel canister. The temperature dependence of the volatility of ¹³⁷Cs was close to that obtained in our previous study using ¹³⁴Cs. The volatility of ¹⁰⁶Ru was about one-fifth that of ¹³⁷Cs at 600° and 800°C. The air contamination by ¹³⁷Cs and ¹⁰⁶Ru in the canister at 400°C was estimated at 1.8 × 10² and 2 × 10 Bq/cm³, respectively, when it was assumed that the glass contained a realistic amount of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹⁰⁶Ru expected in commercial waste glass. These results are useful for predicting safety in a storage facility under operation.