An overview of microbial research related to high-level nuclear waste disposal with emphasis on the Canadian concept for the disposal of nuclear fuel waste

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simcha Stroes-Gascoyne ◽  
Julia M. West
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Nuclear Waste Disposal ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Compacted Clay ◽  
Radionuclide Migration ◽  
Microbially Influenced Corrosion ◽  
High Level ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste

Current research on the effects of microbiology on nuclear waste disposal, carried out in a number of countries, is summarized. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited has developed a concept for the permanent disposal of nuclear fuel waste in Canada. A program was initiated in 1991 to address and quantify the potential effects of microbial action on the integrity of the multibarrier system on which the disposal concept is based. This microbial program focuses on answering specific questions in areas such as the survival of bacteria under relevant radiation and desiccation conditions; growth and mobility of microbes in compacted clay buffer materials and the potential consequences for container corrosion and microbial gas production; the presence and activity of microbes in deep granitic groundwaters; and the effects of biofilms on radionuclide migration in the geosphere.Key words: nuclear waste disposal, radiation and desiccation effects, microbially influenced corrosion, radionuclide migration, gas production.

Microbial Considerations and Studies in the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program

1994 ◽  
Vol 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Stroes-Gascoyne ◽  
J.M. West
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Compacted Clay ◽  
Radionuclide Migration ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste ◽  
Microbial Action ◽  
Microbial Effects

AbstractAECL Research is developing a concept for the permanent disposal of nuclear fuel waste. A program to address the potential effects of microbial action on the integrity of the multiple barrier system, on which the disposal concept is based has been initiated. This microbial program focusses on answering specific questions in areas such as the survival and growth of microbes in compacted clay buffer materials and the potential consequences for container corrosion and microbial gas production; microbial effects on transport of radionuclides through the buffer into the geosphere; the presence and activity of microbes in deep granitic groundwaters; and the effects of biofilms on radionuclide migration in the geosphere.

Nuclear Waste Disposal: The Interface Between Performance Assessment and Research

1981 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.B. Lyon
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Systems Analysis ◽  
Nuclear Waste Disposal ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Wide Variability ◽  
Irreducible Uncertainty ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste

ABSTRACTThe potential impact of the post-closure phase of a nuclear fuel waste disposal project is radiation dose to man. Radiation dose is estimated as the end product of a total systems analysis. Field and laboratory research must be assimilated in a form that can be accepted by the total systems analysis procedure. A central focus of this assimilation must be the consideration of uncertainties in the analysis and data used. Irreducible uncertainty arises because of the wide variability in natural systems and the unprecedented extrapolation into the distant future. The SYVAC computer program provides a framework for assimilation of the results of the field and laboratory research with a systematic treatment of uncertainty. A SYVAC assessment of the post-closure performance of a Canadian nuclear waste disposal facility is presented with particular illustrations of the interface between the assessment models and data and the field and laboratory research.

scholarly journals Overview and conceptual constitutive framework for pellet-based buffer materials

2020 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 02013
Author(s):  
Giulia M. Ghiadistri ◽  
Lidija Zdravkovic ◽  
David M. Potts ◽  
Aikaterini Tsiampousi
Keyword(s):  
Constitutive Model ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Structural Investigation ◽  
Nuclear Waste Disposal ◽  
Material Testing ◽  
High Density ◽  
Compacted Clay ◽  
Material Response ◽  
Buffer Material

Buffer materials for nuclear waste disposal applications generally consist of blocks made of highly expansive compacted clay. However, high-density pellets of bentonite are being evaluated as an alternative buffer material for waste isolation. The material response of pellet-based buffers may be quite different from that of compacted buffers, because of the peculiar discontinuous porosity presented. An overview of the literature available on pellet-based buffers is presented and, in particular, two main topics are discussed: firstly, the characteristics of the fabric of the pellets that can be observed through techniques of micro-structural investigation, secondly, the most important behavioural features that can be seen during material testing. Additionally, the constitutive frameworks that have already been developed specifically for pellets are also reviewed. The overall objective of the paper is to highlight the differences between compacted and pellet-based bentonite buffers, in order to propose suitable assumptions to start developing a constitutive model for the latter.

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