Comparison of Granite, Tuff, and Basalt as Geologic Media for Long-Term Storage of High-Level Nuclear Waste

1990 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Grandstaff ◽  
V. J. Grassi ◽  
A. C. Lee ◽  
G. C. Ulmer
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Hydrothermal Experiments ◽  
Ion Activity ◽  
Activity Ratios ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
High Level ◽  
Term Storage

ABSTRACTSystematic differences in pH, cation/proton ion activity ratios, and redox have been observed between solutions produced in rock-water hydrothermal experiments with tuff, granite, and basalt. Stable pH values in tuff-water experiments may be as much as 1.5 pH units more acidic than basalt-water experiments at the same temperature and ionic strength. Redox (log fO2) values in 300°C tuff experiments are 4–7 orders of magnitude more oxidizing than basalt experiments and ca. 4 log units more oxidizing than the magnetite-hematite buffer. Such fluid differences could significantly affect the performance of a high-level nuclear waste repository and should be considered in repository design and siting.

Prediction of Long Term Corrosion Behaviour in Nuclear Waste Systems

2006 ◽  
Vol 932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Féron ◽  
Digby D. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Corrosion Behaviour ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
High Level ◽  
Interim Storage ◽  
Term Storage

ABSTRACTThe corrosion resistance of container materials in underground repositories is an important issue for the safe disposal of High Level Nuclear Waste (HLNW). The reliable prediction of container degradation rate and engineering barrier integrity over extended periods, up to several thousands years or even several hundreds of thousands of years, represents one of the greatest scientific and technical challenges. The first and the second International Workshops on Prediction of Long Term Corrosion Behaviour in Nuclear Waste Systems, which were held in 2001 (Cadarache) and 2004 (Nice), sought to compare the scientific and experimental approaches that are being developed in various organisations worldwide for predicting long term corrosion phenomena, including corrosion strategies for interim storage and geological disposal. The lessons learned during these Workshops, include the necessity of developing two approaches based on semi-empiricism and determinism in a complementary manner for effective prediction. The use of archaeological artefacts to demonstrate the feasibility of long term storage and to provide a database for testing and validating modelling work was also emphasized.

Modelling the Kinetics of Hydrogen Evolution on Metals for Nuclear Applications

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth R. Trethewey
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Evolution ◽  
Nuclear Materials ◽  
Electrochemical Tests ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
High Level ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Term Storage ◽  
Nuclear Applications

It is well known that some metals suffer damage caused by the evolution of hydrogen in certain conditions in nuclear applications. Of particular current interest is the use of alloys for use in containers for the long-term storage of high level nuclear waste. Calculations for the rates of corrosion of metals where hydrogen evolution is possible rely upon measurements of the reaction kinetics, but it is difficult to obtain reliable and accurate values for the kinetic constants. Standard electrochemical tests can be used, but the analysis of the results is complex because of the need to deconvolute the curves. This paper presents a computer model for the analysis of the data that is checked by its use on experimental data from a number of nuclear materials.

The Influence of Preoxidation on the Corrosion of Copper Nuclear Waste Canisters in Aqueous Anoxic Sulphide Solutions

2006 ◽  
Vol 985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared M. Smith ◽  
Z. Qin ◽  
J. C. Wren ◽  
D. W. Shoesmith
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Corrosion Damage ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
In Situ Raman Spectroscopy ◽  
Sulphide Concentration ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
Kinetics Of Reaction ◽  
High Level

AbstractScandinavian/Canadian high-level nuclear waste repository conditions are expected to evolve from initially warm and oxic to eventually cool and anoxic. During the warm oxic period, corrosion products will accumulate on the container surface. These deposits could impede the reaction of Cu with aqueous sulphide, the only reaction that could lead to the significant accumulation of additional corrosion damage under the long-term anoxic conditions. The kinetics of reaction of Cu with aqueous sulphide solutions have been studied using electrochemical and surface analytical techniques. Corrosion potential measurements were used to follow the evolution of the surface as oxides/hydroxides were converted to sulphides in the sulphide concentration range 10-5 to 10-3 mol/L. Changes in composition were followed by in-situ Raman spectroscopy. Of critical importance is whether or not a period of preoxidation of a Cu container surface can prevent subsequent reaction of the surface with remotely produced sulphide

A Review Process and a Database for Waste-Package Documents

1990 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles G. Interrante ◽  
Carla A. Messina ◽  
Anna C. Fraker
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Waste Package ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
High Level ◽  
Term Storage

ABSTRACTThe work reported here is part of a program conducted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the efficacy of proposed plans for radionuclide containment for long-term storage of high-level nuclear waste (HLW). An important element of that program is the review and evaluation of available literature on components of a waste package. A review process and a database have been developed and tailored to provide information quickly to an individual who has a question about a particular material or component of a waste package. The database is uniquely suited to serve as a guide to indicate special areas where data and information needs exist on questions related to radionuclide containment. Additions to the database are made as information becomes available, and this source is as current as the published literature. A description of the review process and the database is given.

Environmental Remediation of High-Level Nuclear Waste in Geological Repository: Modified Computer Code Creates Ultimate Benchmark in Natural Systems

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey J. Peter
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Environmental Remediation ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Permanent Storage ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
High Level ◽  
Waste Repositories

Isolation of high-level nuclear waste in permanent geological repositories has been a major concern for over 30 years due to the migration of dissolved radio nuclides reaching the water table (10,000-year compliance period) as water moves through the repository and the surrounding area. Repositories based on mathematical models allow for long-term geological phenomena and involve many approximations; however, experimental verification of long-term processes is impossible. Countries must determine if geological disposal is adequate for permanent storage. Many countries have extensively studied different aspects of safely confining the highly radioactive waste in an underground repository based on the unique geological composition at their selected repository location. This paper discusses two computer codes developed by various countries to study the coupled thermal, mechanical, and chemical process in these environments, and the migration of radionuclide. Further, this paper presents the results of a case study of the Magma-hydrothermal (MH) computer code, modified by the author, applied to nuclear waste repository analysis. The MH code verified by simulating natural systems thus, creating the ultimate benchmark. This approach based on processes similar to those expected near waste repositories currently occurring in natural systems.

scholarly journals Long-term storage of information about nuclear waste. 100 000 years and beyond

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 289-290
Author(s):  
Martin Kunze
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
High Data ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Data Formats ◽  
Digital Formats ◽  
Waste Repositories ◽  
Term Storage

Abstract. In the 20th century, intertwined with the topic of “final nuclear repository”, the ethical requirement to warn about the danger of radioactive radiation over a period of 1 million years was debated. In the meantime, a narrative is beginning to gain acceptance – also in public – that postulates that a repository should be described in terms of content and location in such a way that future generations are capable of making their own informed decisions. After all, nuclear waste consists of materials ranging from dangerous to precious. From the concept of sustainability and responsible usage of resources comes the demand to not isolate, bury and forget nuclear waste in the biosphere forever, but rather to leave the information about it in such a way that even if the transmission of information is interrupted, it can be reconstructed by a technically industrialized civilization. The materials that we store in the depths, especially in places where one would not expect them geologically, could represent valuable resources for future generations. The following questions arise: What time horizons are we talking about? In what form can information exist for so long? What language or symbols do we use for this? Who are the addressees? Conventional information carriers are unsuitable for these purposes. Even the most durable, even with optimal storage, have a shelf life that is orders of magnitude below the temporal safety requirements of nuclear waste repositories. In this lecture, the latest technologies and methods for long-term storage of information are introduced. Ceramic-based data carriers. Ceramic-based data carriers with a durability extending to millions of years even under the most extreme conditions. Originating from the Memory of Mankind project in Hallstatt, Austria, a research program is being carried out at the Vienna University of Technology for data carriers which, in addition to an extremely long durability, also have a high data density. Data formats. There is no guarantee that the digital formats used today will be readable in the near or distant future. Information that is intended for addressees in thousands of years must therefore be recognized as such and be directly legible. Data formats must be intuitively decodable and readable. And finally, universal icons are needed for a “manual”, in order to describe the location and contents of a nuclear waste repository to a distant technical civilization.

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