Sains Malaysiana 46(9)(2017): 1617–1623

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4609-34

 

Influence of Water-to-Cement Ratio on the Compressive Strength of Cement-Biochar-Spent Ion Exchange Resins Matrix

(Pengaruh Nisbah Air-Simen terhadap Kekuatan Mampatan Matriks Simen-Bioarang-Resin Pertukaran Ion Terpakai)

 

ZALINA LAILI^1*, MUHAMAD SAMUDI YASIR¹ & MOHD ABDUL WAHAB YUSOF²

 

¹Nuclear Science Programme, School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science & Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

 

²Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

 

Received: 7 August 2014/Accepted: 23 April 2017

 

ABSTRACT

The influence of water-to-cement ratio (w/c) on the compressive strength of cement-biochar-spent resins matrix was investigated. Spent resins waste from nuclear reactor operation was solidified using cement with w/c ranging from 0.35 to 0.90 by weight. In this study, biochar was used as a cement admixture. Some properties of spent resins and biochar were determined prior to the formulation study. Compressive strength of harden cement-biochar-spent resins matrix was determined at 28 days. The compressive strength of cement-biochar-spent resins matrix was found to depend on the w/c and the amount of spent resins added to the formulation. The immersion test of cement-biochar-spent resins matrix showed no significant effects of cracking and swelling. The compressive strength of the cement-biochar-spent resins matrix increased after two weeks in water immersion test.

 

Keyword: Compressive strength; radioactive waste; solidification; spent ion exchange resins; water-to-cement ratio

 

 

ABSTRAK

Pengaruh nisbah air-simen (w/c) terhadap kekuatan mampatan matriks simen-bioarang-resin pertukaran ion terpakai telah dikaji. Sisa resin terpakai daripada operasi reaktor nuklear telah dipejalkan dengan menggunakan simen dengan w/c daripada 0.35 hingga 0.90. Dalam kajian ini, bioarang digunakan sebagai bahan tambah kepada simen. Beberapa ciri resin terpakai dan bioarang telah ditentukan sebelum kajian formulasi. Kekuatan mampatan matriks simen-bioarang-resin terpakai yang mengeras ditentukan pada umur 28 hari. Kekuatan mampatan simen-bioarang-resin terpakai didapati bergantung kepada nisbah simen-air dan jumlah resin terpakai yang ditambah kepada formulasi. Ujian rendaman air bagi matriks simen-bioarang-resin terpakai menunjukkan tiada kesan ketara keretakan dan pengembangan berlaku. Kekuatan mampatan matriks simen-bioarang-resin terpakai didapati meningkat selepas dua minggu ujian rendaman air.

 

Kata kunci: Kekuatan mampatan; nisbah simen-air; pemejalan; resin pertukaran ion terpakai; sisa radioaktif

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*Corresponding author; email: liena@nuclearmalaysia.gov.my