Glass/Steel/Clay Interactions in a Simulated Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal System

Tolnai, I. and Osán, J. and Czompoly, O. and Sulyok, A. and Fábián, M. (2023) Glass/Steel/Clay Interactions in a Simulated Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal System. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 13. No.-20381. ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

Deep geological storage is the accepted solution for the final disposal of high level radioactive waste therefore, it is necessary to study the host rock of the planned Hungarian waste repository and the materials involved in the engineered barriers. The main goal was to understand the characteristics and stability of the glass/steel/claystone system, from the structural properties of the vitrified waste (borosilicate glasses) to the clay response in the repository. Repository conditions were applied during the experiments to understand the chemical evolution of the system. A triplicate setup was kept at 80°C for 3, 7 and 12 months and post-mortem characterization was performed. No alteration products were observed with scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements on the surface of the glass and Fe or in the clay after the end of the experimental period. Based on the elemental analysis of the leachates, the released amount of B, K, Si and K increases over time, while that of Ca and Mg decreases. The concentrations of Cl- and SO42- did not change significantly. Ca- and Mg-silicate precipitation was observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at the surface range of the borosilicate glasses due to the effect of the synthetic porewater treatment.

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