scholarly journals Scoping study of salt domes, basalts and crystalline rock as related to long term risk modeling for deep geologic disposal of nuclear waste

1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Risk Modeling ◽  
Scoping Study ◽  
Salt Domes ◽  
Geologic Disposal

Materials Interactions Relating to Long-Term Geologic Disposal of Nuclear Waste Glass

1986 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ned E. Bibler ◽  
Carol M. Jantzen
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Waste Glass ◽  
Waste Form ◽  
Glass Waste ◽  
Waste Package ◽  
Geologic Disposal ◽  
Nuclear Waste Glass ◽  
Backfill Materials

AbstractIn the geologic disposal of nuclear waste glass, the glass will eventually interact with groundwater in the repository system. Interactions can also occur between the glass and other waste package materials that are present. These include the steel canister that holds the glass, the metal overpack over the canister, backfill materials that may be used, and the repository host rock. This review paper systematizes the additional interactions that materials in the waste package will impose on the borosilicate glass waste form-groundwater interactions. The repository geologies reviewed are tuff, salt, basalt, and granite. The interactions emphasized are those appropriate to conditions expected after repository closure, e.g. oxic vs. anoxic conditions. Whenever possible, the effect of radiation from the waste form on the interactions is examined. The interactions are evaluated based on their effect on the release and speciation of various elements including radionuclides from the glass. It is noted when further tests of repository interactions are needed before long-term predictions can be made.

scholarly journals Geochemical benchmark tests to validate the conversion of thermodynamic data for TOUGHREACT

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 161-162
Author(s):  
Torben Weyand ◽  
Holger Seher ◽  
Guido Bracke
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Thermodynamic Data ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Nuclear Waste Disposal ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Benchmark Tests ◽  
High Level ◽  
Saline Solutions

Abstract. According to the ongoing site selection process for a repository for high-level radioactive waste in Germany, rock salt, clay and crystalline rock are possible host rocks. The pore water of these rocks contains saline solutions with high ionic strengths. To model the speciation and/or migration of radionuclides in long-term safety analyses for nuclear waste disposal, a geochemical code that includes thermodynamic data suitable for saline solutions is needed. Thermodynamic equilibrium in saline solutions with high ionic strengths is usually modelled using the Pitzer approach (Pitzer, 1991). Within the context of nuclear waste disposal, the THEREDA project (Moog et al., 2015) provides thermodynamic data for some widely used geochemical codes (PHREEQC, Geochemist's Workbench, ChemApp, and EQ 3/6) using the Pitzer approach; however, for modelling in long-term safety analyses for nuclear waste disposal, another geochemical code, TOUGHREACT, is used. Therefore, scripts were developed to convert thermodynamic data of the THEREDA project to be applicable in TOUGHREACT. The scripts were validated by benchmark tests and by comparing calculations using PHREEQC and TOUGHREACT (Weyand et al., 2021). In total, 50 different benchmark tests were performed considering 3 specific geochemical systems, which are relevant to long-term safety analyses: (1) oceanic salt system, polythermal: K, Mg, Ca, Cl, SO4, H2O(l), (2) actinide system, isothermal: Am(III), Cm(III), Nd(III), Na, Mg, Ca, Cl, OH, H2O(l) and (3) carbonate system, isothermal: Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, SO4, HCO3/CO2(g), H2O(l). Each benchmark test considered specific ion concentrations in solution and in gaseous phases in the presence of specific minerals. The benchmark tests derived the geochemical equilibria and the results of both codes were compared to each other and to experimental data. The results of the calculations using both codes showed a good correlation. Remaining deviations can be explained by technical differences of the codes.

scholarly journals Solubility Product of Vanadinite Pb5(VO4)3Cl at 25 °C—A Comprehensive Approach to Incongruent Dissolution Modeling

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Justyna Topolska ◽  
Bartosz Puzio ◽  
Olaf Borkiewicz ◽  
Julia Sordyl ◽  
Maciej Manecki
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Solubility Product ◽  
Geochemical Modeling ◽  
Incongruent Dissolution ◽  
Mineral Solubility ◽  
Actual Application ◽  
Universal Approach ◽  
Solubility Constant ◽  
First Time

Although vanadinite (Pb5(VO4)3Cl) occurs in abundance in various terrestrial geochemical systems of natural and anthropogenic origin and is seriously considered as a potential nuclear waste sequestering agent, its actual application is severely limited by a lack of understanding of its basic thermodynamic parameters. In this regard, the greatest challenge is posed by its incongruent dissolution, which is a pivotal hurdle for effective geochemical modeling. Our paper presents an universal approach for geochemical computing of systems undergoing incongruent dissolution which, along with unique, long-term experiments on vanadinites’ stability, allowed us to determine the mineral solubility constant. The dissolution experiments were carried out at pH = 3.5 for 12 years. Vanadinite has dissolved incongruently, continuously re-precipitating into chervetite (Pb2V2O7) with the two minerals remaining in mutual equilibrium until termination of the experiments. The empirically derived solubility constant Ksp,V,298 = 10–91.89 ± 0.05 of vanadinite was determined for the first time. The proposed modeling method is versatile and can be adopted to other mineral systems undergoing incongruent dissolution.

Long-term investigation of a deep-seated creeping landslide in crystalline rock. Part I. Geological and hydromechanical factors controlling the Campo Vallemaggia landslide

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 1157-1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bonzanigo ◽  
E. Eberhardt ◽  
S. Loew
Keyword(s):  
Complex Structure ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Fault Zones ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Metamorphic Rocks ◽  
Artesian Water ◽  
Creep Deformations

Slope movements of the deep-seated Campo Vallemaggia landslide in the southern Swiss Alps have been reported for over 200 years. Surface and borehole investigations of the unstable mass reveal an up to 300 m deep complex structure incorporating 800 million cubic metres of disturbed metamorphic rocks divided into blocks along primary fault zones. An average slide velocity of approximately 5 cm/year can be calculated from various monitoring data recorded between 1892 and 1995. Block movements primarily involve mechanisms relating to multiple shear surfaces, but in cases where slide blocks are constrained by other blocks, creep deformations are observed. Borehole investigations revealed the presence of artesian water pressures, which when integrated with inclinometer and surface geodetic data, helped to provide key insights into the underlying instability mechanisms. This paper reports the findings of an extensive mapping, geophysical, and monitoring investigation carried out over a 20 year period. Results from the analysis are presented with respect to the hydromechanical factors controlling the unstable mass, the significance of which were instrumental in resolving conflicts with regards to the slope mitigation measures required to stabilize the slope. In Part II (see companion paper, this issue), the stabilization works performed at Campo Vallemaggia and their effectiveness are presented.

The Long-Term Stability of Becquerelite

1994 ◽  
Vol 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Finch ◽  
J. Suksi ◽  
K. Rasilainen ◽  
R.C. Ewing
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Solubility Product ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Uranium Series ◽  
Lower Solubility ◽  
Geologic Disposal ◽  
Petrographic Analyses

AbstractUranium-series disequilibria data, in conjunction with petrographic analyses, indicate that the uranyl oxide hydrate becquerelite can persist for hundreds of thousands of years, possibly longer. Becquerelite probably forms continuously as ground water compositions permit and is resistant to U leaching by ground water. On the time scale of interest for the geologic disposal of spent UO2 nuclear fuel, becquerelite is a long-lived sink for uranium in oxidizing, U and Ca-bearing ground waters. Such long-term stability also supports recent solubility experiments that indicate natural becquerelite has a lower solubility product than that determined for synthetic becquerelites.

An Electrodeless Melter for Vitrification of Nuclear Waste

1996 ◽  
Vol 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Freidberg ◽  
A. J. Shajii ◽  
K. W. Wenzel ◽  
J. R. Lierzer
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Thermal Analyses ◽  
Iron Core ◽  
Leaching Rate ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
High Silica ◽  
Waste Loading

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a new concept for a high-temperature, electrodeless melter for vitrifying radioactive wastes. Based on the principles of induction heating, it circumvents a number of difficulties associated with existing technology. The melter can operate at higher temperatures (1500–2000°C vs 1150°C), allowing for a higher quality, more durable glass which reduces the long-term leaching rate. Higher processing temperatures also enable conversion from borosilicate to high-silica glass which can accommodate 2 to 3 times as much radioactive waste, potentially halving the ultimate required long-term disposal space. Finally, with high temperatures, conversion of nuclear waste into ceramics can also be considered. This too leads to higher waste loading and the reduction of repository space. The melter is toroidal, linked by an iron core transformer that allows efficient electrical operation even at 60 Hz. One-dimensional electrical and thermal analyses are presented.

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