Composite Backfill Materials for Radioactive Waste Isolation by Deep Burial in Salt

Geologic waste isolation systems currently under consideration for long term containment of high-level radioactive waste is based on a set of sequential barriers to release of radionuclides. Recently, Klingsberg and Duguid and Pigford have reviewed in detail the multiple-barrier disposal concept. These barriers are the waste form, canister, buffer, overpack, backfill and geologic media. Each of these barriers acts to retard ground water penetration to the repository as well as migration of radionuclides to the biosphere.

show abstract

Diffusion of Radionuclides in Brine-Saturated Backfill Barrier Materials

Nowak

1982

MRS Proc.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The diffusion of cesium(I), strontium(II), pertechnetate and europium in brine-saturated backfill materials was measured. Plastic diffusion cells containing cylindrical diffusion columns were used for low density backfill materials. The diffusion of gamma-emitters was followed by a gamma scanning technique. Metal diffusion cells constructed entirely from Hastelloy C-276 were used for the diffusion of pertechnetate in highly compacted bentonite. Apparent distribution coefficients calculated from diffusion data are (a) 0.02 m3 /kg for cesium(I) in 40 wt.% mordenite and 60 wt.% bentonite; (b) 0.04 m3/kg for strontium(II) in 10 wt.% sodium titanate and 90 wt.% bentonite; (c) 0.5 m3/kg for pertechnetate in 70 wt.% charcoal and 30 wt.% bentonite; and (d) 3 m3/kg for europium in 100% bentonite. Backfill effectiveness estimates based on batch sorption measurements were supported by these results;however, the diffusion results for europium did not agree well with a model for diffusion retarded by linear sorption. First measurements of pertechnetate diffusion in highly compacted bentonite suggest that anion exclusion may play a role in reducing mass transport rates of anions in this material. Needs for diffusion measurements that take into account site-specific materials interactions are described.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Composite Backfill Materials for Radioactive Waste Isolation by Deep Burial in Salt

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Materials for High-Level Waste Canister/Overpacks in Salt Formations

Materials for High-Level Waste Canister/Overpacks in Salt Formations

A Combined Analytical Model for Performance Assessment of the Waste Package/ Geologic Medium Systems

Diffusion of Radionuclides in Brine-Saturated Backfill Barrier Materials

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About