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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry Forum => Topic started by: vvarmbruster on February 20, 2023, 10:11:54 AM

Title: Chemical reactions during the process of vitrification
Post by: vvarmbruster on February 20, 2023, 10:11:54 AM

 Hello!

 I'm writing a essay on the process of vitrification as an alternative to the disposal of High Level Waste and other applications of glass in chemistry. I have alredy written about the process itself and its stages, however my essay lacks a chemical reaction with reagents and products which may occur in the process of vitrication.
 I've looked through a couple of papers, but they mostly talk about the process itself and not the chemical reactions envolved in it, or they just cite some oxides which can be used.
 So, could you guys please provide a source and bibliography which describes chemically the processes?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Chemical reactions during the process of vitrification
Post by: wildfyr on February 20, 2023, 11:12:36 PM

Vitrification is generally a change in the state of matter, i.e. a liquid turns into a glassy solid. By definition, this is not a chemical reaction.

A reaction is A + B = C.

In vitrification A = A. Now you can get cases where monomers are converted to a polymer which then vitrifies.

Your question is roughly the equivalent of "my essay lacks a chemical reaction with reagents and a product for water freezing." I think you can see the issue.

Title: Re: Chemical reactions during the process of vitrification
Post by: Enthalpy on February 21, 2023, 06:48:20 PM

Is it conceivable that other economic sectors misuse the term "vitrification" for an operation where a glass is added to the waste? Mentioned at least there
  fr.wikipedia (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitrification)
which tells that the misnomer is usual for waste
  fr.wikipedia (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitrification_(inertage))

This opens the door to true chemical reactions, like silica and a metal oxide becoming a silicate.