Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melody A. Vachon, Katja Engel, Rachel C. Beaver, Greg F. Slater, W. Jeffrey Binns, Josh D. Neufeld
Summary: Characterizing the microbiology of swelling bentonite clays is important for predicting the long-term behavior of deep geological repositories (DGRs) for nuclear waste management. This study compared microbial abundance and diversity in bentonite clay samples using cultivation and direct nucleic acid analysis, finding consistent associations with specific bacteria regardless of clay starting material. Shared core taxa between cultivation and direct nucleic acid analysis were primarily related to desiccation-resistant bacteria in various bentonite clay samples, showing potential targets for experiments to evaluate microbial viability in DGR conditions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Nuclear Science & Technology
Lotanna Ohazuruike, Kyung Jae Lee
Summary: This study aims to provide a comprehensive review on the illitization process of bentonite, covering basic clay mineralogy, smectite expansion, mechanisms and observation of illitization, and illitization in Engineered Barrier Systems (EBS). Understanding of smectite illitization is crucial for securing the safety and integrity of nuclear waste disposal systems using bentonite buffer. This thorough review study is expected to provide essential and concise information for the preventive EBS design.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Hideo Komine
Summary: This study investigated the influence of artificial seawater on the hydraulic conductivities of different types of bentonite, revealing that sodium-type bentonites are minimally affected. The author proposed a mechanism for bentonite behavior in artificial seawater, clarifying the validity of cation filtration of montmorillonite mineral layers.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katie A. Gilmour, Colin T. Davie, Neil Gray
Summary: This study investigates the effects of microbes, especially iron-reducing bacteria, on MX80 bentonite's function as a barrier in long-term deep geological storage of nuclear waste. The research reveals that iron-reducing bacteria and other indigenous species can survive high temperature and low water conditions, potentially leading to mineralogical changes and reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) in the clay. Moreover, microbial presence reduces steel corrosion, possibly resulting in a protective coating or depleted oxygen levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Haydn M. Haynes, Matthew T. Bailey, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: The translated text emphasizes that geological disposal is the most responsible approach for managing higher activity radioactive wastes in the long-term. It also highlights the important role of bentonite as a barrier material to protect waste containers from corrosion and prevent the release of radionuclides. The review discusses the potential impact of microbial colonization in bentonite buffers, specifically focusing on sulphide-producing bacteria and iron(III)-reducing bacteria.
Article
Microbiology
Katja Engel, Sian E. Ford, W. Jeffrey Binns, Nikitas Diomidis, Greg F. Slater, Josh D. Neufeld
Summary: This study conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory in Grimsel, Switzerland, aims to assess the microbiology and corrosion behavior of engineered barrier components in a deep geological repository. The research findings demonstrate that highly compacted bentonite exhibits microbial stability under conditions similar to those found in a geological repository, and its microbial composition is similar to that of uncompacted bentonite.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Max Jaquenoud, William T. Elam, Tim Grundl, Thomas Gimmi, Andreas Jakob, Senecio Schefer, Veerle Cloet, Pierre De Canniere, Luc R. Van Loon, Olivier X. Leupin
Summary: The Mont Terri rock laboratory has conducted extensive experimental research over the past two decades, focusing on improving our understanding of radionuclide transport within Opalinus Clay. The latest DR-B experiment utilizes in-situ X-ray fluorescence to monitor an iodide plume within the Opalinus Clay, providing a novel method for large-scale and long-term data acquisition.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yonghui Huang, Haibing Shao, Erich Wieland, Olaf Kolditz, Georg Kosakowski
Summary: The long-term evolution of cemented waste packages is mainly governed by (bio)chemical reactions, degradation of cementitious materials, gas generation, and internal water redistribution. Modeling shows that the internal structure of a waste package and the exchange of mass with the environment are key factors in determining the importance of process couplings.
NPJ MATERIALS DEGRADATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rohini C. Kale, Bhanwariwal Kapil, K. Ravi
Summary: The study found that the swell pressure of both bentonites significantly decreased when saturated with hyperalkaline cement water, and the time to full saturation was also longer. Additionally, a decrease in swell pressure was observed in samples subjected to thermal history, and microstructural observations revealed pore clogging due to non-swelling minerals.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tao Yuan, Cornelius Fischer
Summary: This study investigates the influence of sedimentary and diagenetic heterogeneity on heterogeneous diffusion in sandy facies of Opalinus Clay (OPA) using a multi-scale modeling approach. The results show that diffusion is faster in clay laminae and slower in carbonate lenses and sand laminae. The presence of carbonate lenses has a specific effect on the homogenization of diffusion.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Montes, E. Pavon, A. Cota, Alba
Summary: The study evaluated the influence of clay minerals on the retention of Zr(IV) in nuclear waste, and found three immobilization mechanisms including cation exchange, precipitation/crystallization, and chemical interaction. This is of significant importance for waste management and environmental risk control.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Esperanza Pavon, Maria D. Alba
Summary: This study aims to predict the immobilization behavior of zirconium by clay minerals and investigate the influence of factors such as zirconium cation nature, temperature, time, and pH on the immobilization process.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lukas M. Keller
Summary: The role of surface roughness in fractures is important for understanding the hydromechanical behavior, with different closure mechanisms affecting permeability and fracture compliance. Fracture surfaces in Opalinus Clay show fractal-like characteristics, while different closure mechanisms have varying effects on hydromechanical properties. Plastic deformation plays a significant role in fracture closure by compression in clay rocks, with simulations predicting permeability changes with different confining pressures.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jiang-Feng Liu, Xu-Lou Cao, Hong-Yang Ni, Kai Zhang, Zhi-Xiao Ma, Li-Ke Ma, Hai Pu
Summary: The study indicates that gas pressure significantly affects the sealing ability of compacted bentonite, with higher gas pressure leading to water expulsion and decreased water saturation degree. Gas breakthrough occurs at 4 MPa, highlighting the sensitivity of water saturation degree in samples to gas pressure.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tao Yuan, Cornelius Fischer
Summary: This study proposes an upscaling workflow that integrates transport simulations at both the nanometer-scale and the micrometer scale to predict effective diffusivities in sedimentary rocks. The spatial variabilities at the pore scale of more complex sediments are now addressed in this proposed approach for studying heterogeneous diffusion patterns. Additionally, the increase of effective diffusivity in shales due to increased pore space, reduced tortuosity, and an increased sheet silicate concentration compared to other rock components is revealed through sensitivity studies.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Dominique Poirier, Jean-Gabriel Legoux, Phuong Vo, Bruno Blais, Jason D. Giallonardo, Peter G. Keech
JOURNAL OF THERMAL SPRAY TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sophia Necib, Michel L. Schlegel, Christian Bataillon, Sylvie Daumas, Nikitas Diomidis, Peter Keech, Didier Crusset
CORROSION ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Allan K. Jarvine, Alan G. Murchison, Peter G. Keech, Mahesh D. Pandey
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
(2019)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Allan K. Jarvine, Alan G. Murchison, Peter G. Keech, Mahesh D. Pandey
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mengnan Guo, Jian Chen, Taylor Martino, Christina Lilja, Johannes A. Johansson, Mehran Behazin, Wilfred J. Binns, Peter G. Keech, James J. Noel, David W. Shoesmith
Summary: The study revealed that the growth of copper sulfide films is controlled by the supply of SH- from the solution, and the morphology of the film depends on the type and concentration of anions present in the solution.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Peter G. Keech, Mehran Behazin, W. Jeffrey Binns, Scott Briggs
Summary: In 2012, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization developed a comprehensive proof test plan to evaluate the feasibility and safety of their copper-coated used fuel container for a proposed deep geological repository. Research focuses on evaluating various copper corrosion mechanisms and aims to refine a maximum copper corrosion allowance of <1.27 mm over a one million year emplacement.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nicholas A. Senior, Taylor Martino, Jeff Binns, Peter Keech
Summary: This paper presents a study on the construction of the fuel container used in the Canadian deep geological repository and its adaptability to different groundwater chemistry to ensure the long-term integrity of the fuel container. The experiments found that under specific conditions, chloride or hydrogen sulphide may stimulate short-term corrosion behavior.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Satoru Suzuki, Yusuke Ogawa, Jason Giallonardo, Peter G. Keech
Summary: The geological disposal system in Japan involves containing vitrified waste in a metal overpack surrounded by a bentonite buffer to prevent contact with groundwater for at least 1,000 years. Despite steel being traditionally chosen for the overpack, advancements in copper corrosion and manufacturing technologies have led to consideration of other materials like copper. The focus is now on investigating the applicability of copper-coating technologies for long-term containment with low manufacturing costs.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
David S. Hall, Mehran Behazin, W. Jeffrey Binns, Peter G. Keech
Summary: The review discusses the favoured design concept of permanent disposal of high level nuclear waste in containers and considers the corrosion processes that can affect these packages. It demonstrates the methodology used to calculate corrosion depth in a Canadian geological repository environment and suggests areas for future study. Various corrosion sub-allowances are considered, and the expected depth of corrosion over time is evaluated for a specific site condition.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wilfred Jeffrey Binns, Mehran Behazin, Scott Briggs, Peter G. Keech
Summary: The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has conducted a decade-long proof test plan to evaluate their copper-coated used fuel container and bentonite buffer box underground emplacement concept for a deep geological repository. The plan includes the development of new technologies and feasibility studies related to engineered barrier production, underground emplacement, and safety assessment. The work packages associated with corrosion performance evaluation of the used fuel container and copper corrosion in the Canadian DGR continue after the plan's completion, with attention given to local corrosion phenomena. The article provides an overview of these continued work packages, supporting a lifetime corrosion expectation of 270 micro-meters and an extreme upper bound of corrosion of 1204 micro-meters over one million years.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Suraj. Y. Persaud, Wilfred J. J. Binns, Mengnan Guo, Desmond Williams, Qingshan Dong, Gabriel A. A. Arcuri, Kevin Daub, Roger C. C. Newman, Mark R. R. Daymond, Peter G. G. Keech
Summary: The metallurgy, mechanical properties, and corrosion of Cu as the corrosion barrier for Canadian used fuel containers for use in a deep geological repository have been extensively studied. However, many degradation mechanisms are still unclear from bulk testing. This study uses advanced microscopy to understand the mechanisms of Cu degradation and indicates the need for further research on the performance of cold-sprayed Cu.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jian Chen, Xinran Pan, Taylor Martino, Christina Lilja, Mehran Behazin, Wilfred J. Binns, Peter G. Keech, James J. Noel, David W. Shoesmith
Summary: The corrosion of copper in chloride- and sulphate-containing solutions containing sulphide was studied. The structure and physical properties of the copper sulphide deposits were analyzed. Different factors, such as sulphide transport, chloride adsorption, and Cu-I transport, were found to influence the corrosion rates and the growth of copper sulphide deposits.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fraser King, Mehran Behazin, Peter Keech
Summary: Natural and archaeological analogues are useful for predicting long-term corrosion in nuclear waste systems, providing confidence to experts and lay audiences. These analogues demonstrate both the expected and unexpected corrosion processes for copper and steel fuel containers under repository conditions. The concept of kinetic versus thermodynamic stability explains the persistence of such analogues and supports long-term corrosion performance predictions.
MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
N. A. Senior, R. C. Newman, D. Artymowicz, W. J. Binns, P. G. Keech, D. S. Hall
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2019)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thalia E. Standish, Dmitrij Zagidulin, Sridhar Ramamurthy, Peter G. Keech, David W. Shoesmith, James J. Noel
