A resistivity-based approach to determining the rates of groundwater seepage into buffer materials

2019 ◽  
Vol 482 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ishii ◽  
M. Kawakubo ◽  
H. Asano ◽  
I. Kobayashi ◽  
P. Sellin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Solution ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Chemical Alteration ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Buffer Material ◽  
The Status ◽  
Engineered Barriers ◽  
High Level ◽  
Saturation Front

AbstractBentonite-based buffer materials play an important safety role in engineered barriers planned for use in geological disposal repositories for radioactive high-level waste (HLW) in Japan. The effectiveness of buffer materials is dependent on the status of groundwater saturation during resaturation of the repository. Accordingly, it is important to determine the behaviour of buffer materials during saturation and predict post-saturation conditions such as the distribution of residual dry density and chemical alteration.In this study, the rate of groundwater uptake into a buffer material was determined to clarify the behaviour of the material during the saturation process. As mechanical changes and chemical alteration of buffer materials are generated by groundwater permeation, knowledge of the water uptake rate is necessary for the prediction of post-permeation conditions. In the experiment reported here, one-dimensional permeation by distilled water and a NaCl water solution at a constant rate was monitored over a period of more than seven years. The results indicated that the seepage and saturation front moved in proportion to the square root of the seepage time. The coefficient of the relationships between the seepage and the saturation fronts with time of the reference bentonite used in Japan was determined.

Vapour Phase Hydration of Blended Oxide - Magnox Waste Glasses

2003 ◽  
Vol 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil C. Hyatt ◽  
William E. Lee ◽  
Russell J. Hand ◽  
Paul K. Abraitis ◽  
Charlie R. Scales
Keyword(s):  
Glass Matrix ◽  
Alkaline Earth ◽  
Vapour Phase ◽  
Waste Glass ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Zirconium Silicate ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Surface Alteration ◽  
High Level ◽  
Short Incubation Time

ABSTRACTVapour phase hydration studies of a blended Oxide / Magnox simulant high level waste glass were undertaken at 200°C, over a period of 5 – 25 days. The alteration of this simulant waste glass is characterised by a short incubation time of less than 5 days, leading to the formation of an alteration layer several microns thick. Following the incubation period, the alteration proceeds at a constant rate of 0.15(1)μmd−1. The distribution of key glass matrix (Si, Na) and waste (Cs, Zr, Nd, Mo) elements was found to vary significantly across the alteration layer. Vapour phase hydration leads to formation of surface alteration products, identified as smectite, zirconium silicate and alkaline-earth molybdate phases.

scholarly journals Thermal Conductivity of Compacted GO-GMZ Bentonite Used as Buffer Material for a High-Level Radioactive Waste Repository

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Gui Chen ◽  
Xue-Min Liu ◽  
Xiang Mu ◽  
Wei-Min Ye ◽  
Yu-Jun Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Gmz Bentonite ◽  
High Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
Buffer Material ◽  
High Level ◽  
Crucial Parameter

In China, Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite serves as a feasible buffer material in the high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository, while its thermal conductivity is seen as a crucial parameter for the safety running of the HLW disposal. Due to the tremendous amount of heat released by such waste, the thermal conductivity of the buffer material is a crucial parameter for the safety running of the high-level radioactive waste disposal. For the purpose of improving its thermal conductivity, this research used the graphene oxide (GO) to modify the pure bentonite and then the nanocarbon-based bentonite (GO-GMZ) was obtained chemically. The thermal conductivity of this modified soil has been measured and investigated under various conditions in this study: the GO content, dry density, and water content. Researches confirm that the thermal conductivity of the modified bentonite is codetermined by the three conditions mentioned above, namely, the value of GO content, dry density, and water content. Besides, the study proposes an improved geometric mean model based on the special condition to predict the thermal conductivity of the compacted specimen; moreover, the calculated values are also compared with the experimental data.

NMR Study of Interlayer and Non-interlayer Porewater in Water-saturated Bentonite and Montmorillonite

2013 ◽  
Vol 1518 ◽  
pp. 167-172
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Carlsson ◽  
Arto Muurinen ◽  
Andrew Root
Keyword(s):  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Relative Volume ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Proton Relaxation ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Nmr Study ◽  
Important Barrier ◽  
Relaxation Curves ◽  
High Level ◽  
Water Saturated

ABSTRACTBentonite is planned to be used in many countries as an important barrier in high-level waste repositories. Assessment of the barrier with regard to, inter alia, its ability to hinder transport of dissolved radionuclides leaking from a damaged canister containing spent nuclear fuel, requires quantitative data about the pore structure inside bentonite. The present NMR study was made in order to determine the number of distinguishable porewater phases in compacted water-saturated samples of MX-80 bentonite and Na-montmorillonite. The samples were compacted to dry densities in the interval 0.7-1.6 g/cm3 and subsequently saturated with Milli-Q water or 0.1 M NaCl solution in equilibrium cells. The NMR measurements were performed with a high-field 270 MHz NMR spectrometer using a short inter-pulse CPMG method to study proton T1ρ relaxation. The measured relaxation curves were found to consist of one faster and one slower proton relaxation. Subsequent analysis of the data indicated that the faster relaxation was associated with interlayer (IL) water between montmorillonite unit layers, while the slower one was associated with non-interlayer (non-IL) water located outside the interlayer spaces. The results indicate for compacted samples with a dry density of ≥ 1.0 g/cm3, that Na montmorillonite contains a larger relative volume of non-IL water than the corresponding MX-80 bentonite. This in turn, suggests that the stacking number in Na-montmorillonite is smaller than in MX-80 bentonite. Changing the porewater chemistry seemed to have some effect on the non-IL water content in the Na montmorillonite but not in the MX-80 bentonite.

Laboratory and Modelling Studies of Sodium Benionite Grounmater Interaction

1986 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sneujman ◽  
H. Uotiia ◽  
J. Rantanen
Keyword(s):  
Near Field ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
Fluid Phase ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Sodium Bentonite ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Buffer Material ◽  
Modelling Studies ◽  
Calcite Saturation ◽  
High Level

AbstractAccording to the present Finnish concept sodium bentonite will be used as a buffer material in the repository for high-level waste. Experimental and theoretical studies treating the effect of bentonite upon the chemical conditions in a repository have been initiated with the object of specifying the chemistry of the near field.Sodium bentonite was let react with water under anaerobic conditions at 25°C for 540 days, during which time six fluid samples were extracted for the chemical analysis of 15 chemical species. The generated fluid phase was alkaline (PH = 9…10) and contained a high amount of bicarbonate. Also a low redox-potential was measured. The fluid phase chemistry was investigated using the geochemical code PHREEM. Calcite saturation was observed in all fluid samples.A modelling of sodium bentonite interaction with water based on the main mineral components of bentonite was also performed with PHREEQE. A fairly good agreement between experimental results and model calculations was observed.

Properties of Bentonite Clay as Buffer Material in High-Level Waste Geological Disposal. Part I: Chemical Species Contained in Bentonite

1987 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Takahashi ◽  
Masayuki Muroi ◽  
Atsuyuki Inoue ◽  
Masahiro Aoki ◽  
Makoto Takizawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Species ◽  
Bentonite Clay ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
Buffer Material ◽  
High Level

The Dependence of the Diffusion Coefficients of 3H and Cs on Grain Size in Compacted Montmorillonite

1997 ◽  
Vol 506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamoru Nakajima ◽  
Tamotsu Kozaki ◽  
Hiroyasu Kato ◽  
Seichi Sato ◽  
Hiroshi Ohashi
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Formation Factor ◽  
Apparent Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Compacted Bentonite ◽  
Buffer Material ◽  
Apparent Diffusion ◽  
Different Grain Size ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACTCompacted bentonite is a candidate buffer material in geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The transport of radionuclides in compacted bentonite is dominated by diffusion, because of its very low permeability. In this study, we focused on the grain size of clay mineral, which is considered to be closely related to the formation factor in the pore water diffusion model[1,2]. The apparent diffusion coefficients (Da) of HTO and cesium ions in compacted clays were determined using montmorillonite samples with different grain size and dry density, and the effect of the grain size on diffusion behavior was discussed.

German Nuclear High-Level Waste Program - Key Research Areas

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Geipel
Keyword(s):  
Mine Safety ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Salt Mine ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
The Status ◽  
Safety Studies ◽  
Computer Codes ◽  
High Level

AbstractBased on more than 10 years of research and development, vitrification and high level waste disposal have reached the status of demonstration projects in the Federal Republic of Germany: hot operation of the PAMELA vitrification plant is scheduled for october 1985, and a disposal test with 30 canisters of high active glass is being prepared in the ASSE salt mine. Safety studies for a model repository led to a good understanding of the relevant phenomena; they will continue using sitespezific parameters. Modelling and computer codes will be further developed in international cooperation. In addition to reprocessing, the technology for direct disposal of spent fuel will be developed and demonstrated in the next years.

Design Options for HLW Repository Operation Technology: Part IV—Shotclay Technique for Seamless Construction of EBS

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ichizo Kobayashi ◽  
Soh Fujisawa ◽  
Makoto Nakajima ◽  
Masaru Toida ◽  
Hitoshi Nakashima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silica Sand ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Construction Time ◽  
Spray Method ◽  
Buffer Material ◽  
Simulated Waste ◽  
Engineered Barriers ◽  
Engineered Barrier ◽  
Design Options ◽  
Spraying Method

The shotclay method is construction method of the high density bentonite engineered barrier by spraying method. Using this method, the dry density of 1.6 Mg/m3, which was considered impossible with the spray method, is achieved. In this study, the applicability of the shotclay method to HLW bentonite-engineered barriers was confirmed experimentally. In the tests, an actual scale vertical-type HLW bentonite-engineered barrier was constructed. This was a bentonite-engineered barrier with a diameter of 2.22 m and a height of 3.13 m. The material used was bentonite with 30% silica sand, and water content was adjusted by mixing chilled bentonite with powdered ice before thawing. Work progress was 11.2 m3 and the weight was 21.7 Mg. The dry density of the entire buffer was 1.62 Mg/m3, and construction time was approximately 8 hours per unit. After the formworks were removed, the core and block of the actual scale HLW bentonite-engineered barrier were sampled to confirm homogeneity. As a result, homogeneity was confirmed, and no gaps were observed between the formwork and the buffer material and between the simulated waste and the buffer material. The applicability to HLW of the shotclay method has been confirmed through this examination.

Migration Behavior of Ferrous Ions in Compacted Bentonite Under Reducing Conditions Using Electromigration

2004 ◽  
Vol 824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Idemitsu ◽  
Xiaobin Xia ◽  
Yoshiro Kikuchi ◽  
Yaohiro Inagaki ◽  
Tatsumi Arima
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Corrosion Rate ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Corrosion Products ◽  
Ferrous Ion ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Compacted Bentonite ◽  
Buffer Material

AbstractCarbon steel is one of the candidate overpack materials for high-level waste disposal and is expected to assure complete containment of vitrified waste glass during an initial period of 1000 years in Japan. The lifetime of the carbon steel overpack will depend on its corrosion rate. The corrosion rate of carbon steel is reduced by the presence of buffer material such as bentonite. Buffer material will delay the supply of corrosive materials and discharge of corrosion products through it. Carbon steeloverpack will be corroded by consuming oxygen introduced by repository construction after closure of repository and then will keep the reducing environment in the vicinity of repository. Therefore, it is important to study the migration of iron corrosion products through the buffer material because it may affect the corrosion rate of overpack, migration of redox-sensitive radionuclides, and the properties of the buffer material. Electromigration experiments have been carried out with source of iron ions supplied byanode corrosion of iron coupon in compacted bentonite. The carbon steel coupon was connected as the working electrode to the potentiostat and was held at a constant applied potential between - 200 to 1000 mV vs. Ag/AgCl electrode for 48 hours. Corrosion currents were 0.5 to 2mA initially and depended on the supplied electrical potential, then decreased to approximately 0.1 mA in a few hours. The final corrosion current was independent of supplied electrical potential. It is expected that iron ion could migrate as ferrous ion through interlayer of montmorillonite replacing exchangeable sodium ions in the interlayer. The rate-determining process of this experimental configuration could be infiltration rate of ferrousioninto bentonite. Infiltration rate of ferrous ion into bentonite was increasing with dry density of bentonite.

Migration Behavior of Selenium in the Presence of Iron in Bentonite

2014 ◽  
Vol 1665 ◽  
pp. 157-163
Author(s):  
Kazuya Idemitsu ◽  
Hikaru Kozaki ◽  
Daisuke Akiyama ◽  
Masanao Kishimoto ◽  
Masaru Yuhara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidation State ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Precipitation Reaction ◽  
Migration Behavior ◽  
Ferrous Ions ◽  
Edge Structure ◽  
Tracer Solution ◽  
High Level ◽  
X Ray Absorption

ABSTRACTSelenium (Se) is an important element for assessing the safety of high-level waste disposal. Se is redox-sensitive, and its oxidation state varies from -2 to 6 depending on the redox conditions and pH of the solution. Large quantities of ferrous ions formed in bentonite due to corrosion of carbon steel overpack after the closure of a repository are expected to maintain a reducing environment near the repository. Therefore, the migration behavior of Se in the presence of Fe in bentonite was investigated by electrochemical experiments. Na2SeO3 solution was used as tracer solution. Dry density range of bentonite was from 0.8 to 1.4 ×103 kg/m3.Results indicated that Se was strongly retained by the processes such as precipitation reaction with ferrous ions in bentonite. Se K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) measurements were performed at the BL-11 beamline at SAGA Light Source, and the results revealed that the oxidation state of Se in the bentonite remained Se(IV).

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