Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-dfsvx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T09:49:53.042Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Role of Laboratory Analog Experiments in Assessing the Performance of Waste Package Materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

James C. Cunnane  and
John K. Bates
James C. Cunnane
Affiliation:
Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4837
John K. Bates
Affiliation:
Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4837
Get access

Abstract

There is an immediate need to begin to validate models that can be used for assessing the performance of waste package materials in an unsaturated repository environment. This paper examines available testing information and testing approaches that could support validation of models for engineering barrier system (EBS) radionuclide release. The content is presented in the context of the general methodology that has been proposed for validating performance assessment models [1], Available experimental observations are used to test some of the EBS release rate modeling premises. These observations include evidence of fluid film formation on waste glass surfaces in isothermal humid environments, accelerated waste glass reaction rates under repository service conditions of large glass surface area to water volume ratio, and mobilization of radionuclides as solutes and colloids. It is concluded that some important modeling premises may not be consistent with available experimental Information. However, it is also concluded that future laboratory testing, which simulates the Integrated waste package system (i.e., laboratory analog testing), is needed to evaluate the significance of these Inconsistencies and to test the system level models. A small-scale apparatus which was developed and tested to examine the feasibility of laboratory analog testing for the unsaturated Yucca Mountain repository environment is described.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 212: Symposium P – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XIV , 1990 , 885
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Voss, C. F., “A Proposed Methodology for Validating Performance Assessment Models for the DOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program,” Proc. of Internat. Topical Mtg. on High-Level Radioact. Waste Mgmt., Las Vegas, NV, April 8–12, 1990.Google Scholar
2. Bates, J. K., Abrajano, T. A., Wronkiewicz, D. J., Gerding, T. J., and Seils, C. A., “Strategy for Experimental Validation of Waste Package Performance Assessment,” Argonne National Laboratory report ANL-90/21 (1990).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. O’Connell, W. J., “Status of Integrated Performance Assessment of the Waste Packages and Engineered Barrier System,” Proc. of Internat. Topical Mtg. on High-Level Radioact. Waste Mgmt., Las Vegas, NV, April 8–12, 1990.Google Scholar
4. Apted, M. J. and Engel, D. W., “Mass-Transfer Analysis of Waste Packages Containing Defense Waste Processing Facility Glass as a Waste Form,” Proc. of Internat. Topical Mtg. on High-Level Radioact. Waste Mgmt., Las Vegas, NV, April 8–12, 1990.Google Scholar
5. Ebert, W. L., Hoburg, R. F., and Bates, J. K., ‘The Sorption of Water on Obsidian and a Nuclear Waste Glass,’ submitted for publication in Physics and Chemistry of Glasses (1990).Google Scholar
6. Abrajano, T. A. Jr., Bates, J. K., and Mazer, J. J., “Aqueous Corrosion of Natural and Nuclear Waste Glasses. II. Mechanisms of Vapor Hydration of Nuclear Waste Glasses,” J. Non-Cryst. Sol. 108, 269–288 (1989).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Ebert, W. L. and Bates, J. K., “The Reaction of Synthetic Nuclear Waste Glass in Steam and Hydrothermal Solution,” Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 176, 339–346 (1990).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Ebert, W. L. and Bates, J. K., “The Importance of Secondary Phases in Glass Corrosion,” paper presented at this symposium.Google Scholar
9. Childs, E. C., An Introduction to the Physical Basis for Soil Water Phenomena, J. Wiley and Sons, Ltd. (1969).Google Scholar
10. Hillel, D., Fundamentals of Soil Physics, Academic Press (1980).Google Scholar
11. Site Characterization Plan, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, DOE Report DOE/RW-0199 (1988).Google Scholar
12. Bates, J. K. and Gerding, T. J., “NNWSI Phase II Materials Interaction Test Procedures and Preliminary Results,” Argonne National Laboratory report ANL-84-81 (1985).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13. Bates, J. K. and Gerding, T. J., “Application of the NNWSI Unsaturated Test Method to Actinide Doped SRL 165 Type Glass,” Argonne National Laboratory report ANL-89/24 (1990).Google Scholar
14. Bates, J. K., Ebert, W. L., and Gerding, T. J., “Vapor Hydration and Subsequent Leaching of Transuranic-Containing SRL and WV Glasses,” Proc. of Internat. Topical Mtg. on High-Level Radioact. Waste Mgmt., Las Vegas, NV, April 8–12, 1990.Google Scholar
15. Seitz, M. G., Bowers, D. L., Gerding, T. J., and Vandegrift, G. F., “Laboratory Studies of a Breached Nuclear Waste Repository in Basalt,” Argonne National Laboratory report ANL-84-16; NUREG/CR-3710 (1984).Google Scholar
16. Seitz, M. G., “Repository-Analog Experiments of Nuclear Waste Leaching and Migration,” Proc. of Internat. Atomic Energy Symp. on Migration in the Terrestrial Environ, of Long-Lived Radionuclides from the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, IAEA-SM-257, July 27–31, 1981.Google Scholar