Application of Cement-Based Materials as a Component of an Engineered Barrier System at Geological Disposal Facilities for Radioactive Waste—A Review

Tyupina, E. A.; Kozlov, Pavel; Krupskaya, V. V.

doi:10.3390/en16020605

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…One of the most commonly used techniques prior to near-surface or underground disposal is the solidification of low-and intermediate-level radioactive waste with cementitious materials [2][3][4][5]. In assessing the long-term safety of radioactive waste repositories, the interaction between radionuclides and cement-based barrier materials is of great interest [6][7][8][9][10]. The interplay is dependent on both the nature of the radionuclides and the type of cement [10][11][12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In assessing the long-term safety of radioactive waste repositories, the interaction between radionuclides and cement-based barrier materials is of great interest [6][7][8][9][10]. The interplay is dependent on both the nature of the radionuclides and the type of cement [10][11][12][13][14]. The retention or migration of radionuclides from the disposal facility is related to several factors specific to a cementitious backfill, including a significant pH gradient, temperature, electrolyte composition, presence of organic compounds, redox potential and ionic strength [6,[8][9][10]14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Cement Superplasticizer Based on Polymelamine Sulphonate

Judžentienė,

Zdaniauskienė,

Ignatjev

et al. 2024

Materials

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Cementitious materials are used to construct an engineered barrier in repositories for radioactive waste. The cement matrix may contain a variety of organic compounds, some of which are polymeric admixtures used as plasticizers. Superplasticizers (SPs) are highly effective organic cement additives for reducing water amount, increasing workability, homogeneity, plasticity and the non-segregation of mortars and grouts, improving mechanical properties and resistance to destructive environments. SPs in cement could have an impact on the long-term safety of the disposals of radioactive waste. These organic agents can leach from the cementitious matrix into groundwater and may affect the migration behaviour of radionuclides. The detailed chemical composition and other characteristics of the cement (CEM I 42.5 R, Sweden) used for the leaching experiments were evaluated. It contained mainly CaO (52.51 ± 1.37, %), and the surface area of the cement particles was 13.2 ± 1.3 m2/g. An insignificant increase in pH (from 12.6 ± 0.1 to 12.8 ± 0.1) was observed for the leachates over 10 days. A commercially available cement superplasticizer based on polymelamine sulphonate (PMS) Peramin SMF10 (Peramin AB, Sweden) was chosen for the research. The product’s chemical composition was analysed using wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) spectroscopy, while other physico-chemical properties of the PMS superplasticizer were assessed by Raman spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis. In aqueous solutions and powders of PMS, the same most intensive features were observed at 774 cm−1 (ring out-of-plane deformation), 977 cm−1 (C-N-C bending, SO stretching) and 1055 cm−1 (C-N=C bending) in the Raman spectra. At up to 270 °C, the polymer was thermally stable. Raman and UV/Vis spectroscopies were used to assess the rate of the alkaline degradation of PMS superplasticizer in different aqueous solutions. No changes were observed in the hydrolytic solutions with any of the above analytical methods over a period of 3 years. The results obtained revealed a good thermal and chemical stability (in highly alkaline media, pH = 9.9–12.9) of the PMS polymer.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Cement Superplasticizer Based on Polymelamine Sulphonate

Judžentienė,

Zdaniauskienė,

Ignatjev

et al. 2024

Materials

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“…Deep underground radioactive waste repositories are specially being built for this purpose (e.g., Grambow et al (2020); Tyupina et al (2023)). Currently, there are underground research laboratories in which experimental studies of the conditions for the safe storage of radioactive waste are being carried out (e.g., Laverov et al (2016); Mazurek et al (2008)).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, there is a broad understanding that clays and clay-like materials can be extremely useful in these matters (Altmann, 2008;Sellin and Leupin, 1999;Grambow, 2016;Krupskaya et al, 2018). In addition to clays, various cement mixtures are also planned to be used in disposal site construction and waste isolation (Grambow et al, 2020;Tyupina et al, 2023). One of the most abundant materials for concrete production is ordinary Portland cement (OPC).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular dynamics simulation of hydrocalumite as adsorbent for anionic radionuclides

Glushak,

Tararushkin,

Smirnov

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Hydrocalumite, is a hydration product of aluminum-rich cements, and is known in cement chemistry as an AFm phase. Structurally, it belongs to the family of layered double hydroxides, or “anionic clays”, where positively charged crystal layers require the presence of negatively charged ions in the interlayer space. Therefore, AFm phases can serve as a potential adsorbents for anionic radionuclides (e.g., 35Cl−, 125I−, 129I−, 131I−) from aqueous solutions. Here we use classical molecular dynamic simulations to analyze the structure and properties of AFm phases containing Cl− and I−. The classical ClayFF force field is used to quantitatively study the structure, energetics and mobility of anions and H2O molecules in the interlayers of these phases and at their interfaces with CsCl and CsI aqueous solutions. The basal (001) surfaces of AFm phases can strongly adsorb hydrated Cl− and I− anions due to the donated hydrogen bonds from the interfacial hydroxyls. However, the adsorption of I− is weaker than that of Cl−, leading to the higher surface mobility of I− due to its stronger chaotropic effect. The interlayer diffusional mobility of the Cl− and I− anions in the AFm phases is investigated by using the Eyring-Vineyard approach and is shown to be significantly lower than in larger nanopores. Hence, the most likely transport of radionuclides takes places through the nano- and micro-pores of hardened cement.

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“…Moreover, high pH values have been shown to arise in the near-field of a DGR following e.g. canister corrosion and weathering of cementitious backfill and sealing materials 23 – 25 , while elevated temperatures are expected in the presence of the heat-generating SNF matrix, depending on its age and composition 26 , 27 . The experiments are designed to study the influence of the dopants, their concentration, and the hydrothermal aging time on the incorporation mechanism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigations towards incorporation of Eu3+ and Cm3+ during ZrO2 crystallization in aqueous solution

Opitz

Hübner

Azzam

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Nuclear energy provides a widely applied carbon-reduced energy source. Following operation, the spent nuclear fuel (SNF), containing a mixture of radiotoxic elements such as transuranics, needs to be safely disposed of. Safe storage of SNF in a deep geological repository (DGR) relies on multiple engineered and natural retention barriers to prevent environmental contamination. In this context, zirconia (ZrO2) formed on the SNF rod cladding, could be employed as an engineered barrier for immobilization of radionuclides via structural incorporation. This study investigates the incorporation of Eu3+ and Cm3+, representatives for trivalent transuranics, into zirconia by co-precipitation and crystallization in aqueous solution at 80 °C. Complementary structural and microstructural characterization has been carried out by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), spectrum imaging analysis based on energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in scanning transmission electron microscopy mode (STEM-EDXS), and luminescence spectroscopy. The results reveal the association of the dopants with the zirconia particles and elucidate the presence of distinct bulk and superficially incorporated species. Hydrothermal aging for up to 460 days in alkaline media points to great stability of these incorporated species after initial crystallization, with no indication of phase segregation or release of Eu3+ and Cm3+ over time. These results suggest that zirconia would be a suitable technical retention barrier for mobilized trivalent actinides in a DGR.

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Application of Cement-Based Materials as a Component of an Engineered Barrier System at Geological Disposal Facilities for Radioactive Waste—A Review

Cited by 20 publications

References 59 publications

Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Cement Superplasticizer Based on Polymelamine Sulphonate

Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Cement Superplasticizer Based on Polymelamine Sulphonate

Molecular dynamics simulation of hydrocalumite as adsorbent for anionic radionuclides

Investigations towards incorporation of Eu3+ and Cm3+ during ZrO2 crystallization in aqueous solution

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