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Study of the Processes Related to the Water Uptake of Eurobitum Bituminized Radioactive Waste: Effect of Salt Concentration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

An Mariën ,
Steven Smets  and
Elie Valcke
An Mariën
Affiliation:
W&D Expert Group, SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
Steven Smets
Affiliation:
W&D Expert Group, SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
Elie Valcke
Affiliation:
W&D Expert Group, SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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Abstract

A coupled hydro-chemical-mechanical constitutive law for the Belgian Eurobitum bituminized waste is being developed by the International Centre for Numerical Methods and Engineering (Polytechnical University of Cataluña, Spain) to contribute to the study of the compatibility of Eurobitum with Boom Clay as a geological disposal environment. A large experimental programme is ongoing at SCK•CEN to support the development of a constitutive law for Eurobitum. Water uptake tests are being performed under different conditions to obtain insights in the parameters that influence the water uptake behaviour of Eurobitum. Furthermore, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy and microfocus X-ray Computer Tomography are used to characterize hydrated samples in order to improve the understanding of the water uptake processes.

The salt content, the distribution of the salt crystals, and the membrane efficiency in the Eurobitum samples affect the swelling and pressure increase rate. High membrane efficiencies and a large amount of hygroscopic salts inside the Eurobitum samples result in very high pressures when almost no swelling is allowed. The pressure in small inactive samples with 28 wt.% NaNO3has risen to ∼19 MPa after ∼3 years of hydration in nearly constant volume conditions. Slower pressure increase rates are being measured for samples with 6, 12, 18, and 33 wt.% NaNO3.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1193: Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXIII , 2009 , 513
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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