Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T21:29:46.036Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Conductivity Behavior of Salt Deposits on the Surface of Engineered Barrier Materials for the Potential High-Level Nuclear Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2011

Lietai Yang ,
Miriam R. Juckett  and
Roberto T. Pabalan
Lietai Yang
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, San Antonio, TX 78238–5166, U.S.A.
Miriam R. Juckett
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, San Antonio, TX 78238–5166, U.S.A.
Roberto T. Pabalan
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, San Antonio, TX 78238–5166, U.S.A.
Get access

Abstract

The electrical conductance or conductivity of three salt mixtures, Na-K-Cl-NO3, Ca-K-Cl and Ca-Na-Cl, were measured at 25, 50 and 70°C [77, 122, and 158 °F] as a function of relative humidity (RH). Mutual deliquescence and efflorescence RH (MDRH and MERH) values were determined based on the conductivity measurements. It was found that the conductivity of the three salt mixtures started to increase at RH values that are approximately 40 % of their MDRH and increased by 1to 2 orders of magnitude just before reaching the MDRH. At the MDRH, a significant increase in conductivity was observed. The MDRH and MERH for the Ca-K-Cl and Ca-Na-Cl mixtures were found to be approximately 15 % in the temperature range of 50 to 70 °C [122 to 158 °F]. The MDRH and MERH for the Na-K-Cl-NO3system were found to be approximately 54 % at 50 °C [122 °F] and decreased significantly with an increase in temperature.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 824: Symposium CC – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXVIII , 2004 , CC1.4
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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

1. , BSC, “Technical Basis Document No. 5: In-Drift Chemical Environment,” Rev. 1, Las Vegas, Nevada: Bechtel SAIC Company (2003).Google Scholar
2. Yang, L., Pabalan, R. T. and Browning, L., “Experimental Determination of the Deliquescence Relative Humidity and Conductivity of Multicomponent Salt Mixtures,” Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXV, ed. McGrail, B. P. and Cragnolino, G.A., (Mater. Res. Soc. Proc. 713, Warrendale, PA, 2002) pp. 135-142.Google Scholar
3. Yang, L., Pabalan, R. T., Browning, L. and Dunn, D.S., “Corrosion Behavior of Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel Materials under Salt Deposits in Simulated Dry Repository Environments”, Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXVII, ed. Finch, R. J. and Bullen, D. B., (Mater. Res. Soc. Proc. 757, Warrendale, PA, 2003) pp. 791-797.Google Scholar
4. Chatterjee, S. G., Ramarao, B. V. and Tien, C., J. Pulp Paper Sci. 23, J366 (1997)Google Scholar
5. Tang, I. N. and Munkelwitz, H.R., Atmospheric Engineering 27A,467 (1993).Google Scholar
6. Martin, S. T., Chem. Rev. 100, 3403 (2002).Google Scholar
7. Ge, Z., Wexler, A. S. and Johnston, M. V., J. Phys. Chem. 102, 173 (1998).Google Scholar
8. Cohen, M. D., Flagan, R. C. and Seinfeld, J. H., J. Phys. Chem. 91, 4575 (1987).Google Scholar
9. Vogt, R. and Finlayson-Pitts, B.J., J. Phys. Chem. 98, 3747 (1994).Google Scholar
10. Ge, Z., Wexler, A. S. and Johnston, M. V., J. Colloid and Interface Science 183, 68 (1996).Google Scholar