In situ resin impregnation for investigating radionuclide retardation in fractured repository host rocks

Frieg, Bernd; Alexander, W. Russell; Dollinger, Hannes; Bühler, C; Haag, P Uijt de; Möri, Andreas; Ota, Ken Ichiro

doi:10.1016/s0169-7722(98)00120-x

Cited by 30 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…MMA is a monomer with low viscosity, 0.00584 Pa s (20 8C), compared to the viscosity of water, 0.00895 Pa s (25 8C). By comparison, the viscosity of CP-acrylic resin used in the previous impregnation tests in GTS was 0.01 Pa s (20 8C) (Frieg et al, 1998). Because the contact angle of MMA on the silicate surfaces is low, the impregnation of bulk rock specimens is rapid due to capillary forces and depends on existing pore apertures.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two projects, EP (Excavation Project) and CP (Connected Porosity project), were implemented to examine geosphere retardation and include studies on matrix diffusion and pore space characterisation (Frieg et al, 1998;Ota et al, 2001;Mö ri et al, 2003). The in situ acrylic resin impregnations succeeded well and it was decided to continue the work using an alternative resin technique applying 14 C-labelled MMA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Characterisation of pore space geometry by 14C-PMMA impregnation—development work for in situ studies

Kelokaski

Siitari-Kauppi

Sardini

et al. 2006

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of pore space geometry by 14C-PMMA impregnation—development work for in situ studies

Kelokaski

Siitari-Kauppi

Sardini

et al. 2006

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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“…In other case, the fracture environment is composed of a mineral coating followed by a porosity gradient from the fracture to the unaltered matrix (Bonorino et al 1959). Lastly, many fracture environments also exhibit a more complex structure, such as cataclastite or gouge fault (Frieg et al 1998;Prêt et al 2004). Consequently, it is obvious that the porous networks related to fracture wall environment are more complex than the virtual porosity maps used to compute RTDs.…”

Section: Natural Spatial Heterogenitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Rock Matrix Heterogeneities Near Fracture Walls on the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) of Solutes

et al. 2007

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For interpreting solute transport experiments within rocks, the Residence Time Distributions (RTDs) of solutes in the rock matrix were either derived from the assumption of a homogeneous matrix, or were considered through analytical distributions of diffusion coefficients. A numerical approach based on a Lagrangian framework was developed in order to investigate the effect of spatial heterogeneities on RTDs. The matrix diffusion was simulated over two-dimensional computation grids, representing virtual or real digitized porosity maps. First, virtual porosity maps were used to mimic porous features linked to conductive fractures, such as (i) low-porosity coatings on fracture walls, and (ii) porosity gradients within the rock matrix. Furthermore, RTD was calculated for the real pore network of the Palmottu granite (Finland). It was shown that the arrangement of spatial heterogeneities located in the immediate vicinity of a conductive fracture modifies the RTD of solutes within the rock matrix. Porous zones located near fractures are of particular importance, because they generate anomalies on the RTD. Notations a Fracture length (m) b Matrix depth (m) D Apparent diffusion coefficient of the pixel (m 2 /s) D 0 Free diffusion coefficient (m 2 /s)

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“…The microstructural analysis of oriented thin sections prepared from core samples revealed two types of heterogeneities: (1) Products of capillary transport of natural radionuclides in poorly permeable (~5 × 10 -4 mD) granite were detected on the walls of the research tunnel, where finely dispersed aggregates of grimselite [K 3 NaU 2 (CO 3 ) 3 · H 2 O] were identified four years after drivage. In the tunnel, grimselite crusts develop in open fissures, where conditions of local extension (decompression) and discharge of slowly migrating water flow are created (K H = 10 -10 -10 -12 m/s, after Frieg et al (1998)). It is noteworthy that such areas are located at a distance of 50-100 m from the tunnel.…”

Section: Natural Analogues and Underground Laboratories In Granite: Amentioning

confidence: 99%

The Antei uranium deposit: A natural analogue of an SNF repository and an underground geodynamic laboratory in granite

et al. 2008

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The estimation of the long-term stability of crystalline rock massifs with respect to natural and technogenic loads in the course of long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is a special area of surveys at underground research laboratories (URLs). In parallel with these surveys, data on uranium deposits-natural analogues of repositories of SNF consisting of 95% UO 2 -are used for obtaining insight into the dynamics of radionuclide migration and validating barrier properties of host rocks. Examples of URLs located in granitic massifs of Sweden (Äspö), Canada (Whiteshell), Switzerland (Grimsel), Japan (Mizunami), and Finland (ONKALO), as well as the El Berrocal (Spain), Palmottu (Finland), Sanerliu (China), and Kamaishi (Japan) deposits, are considered in the paper. The objects listed above are distinct in tectonic settings, geology, control of ore mineralization, redox conditions of uranium migration, and character and intensity of filtration and transportation, which predetermine the direction and specific features of research conducted therein. A variant in which a URL and a natural analogue are combined in one object is especially promising for validation of safe long-term isolation of SNF. The Antei vein-stockwork uranium deposit in the southeastern Transbaikal region, localized in Paleozoic granite at a depth of 400-1000 m and opened by mine workings at six levels, is such an object. Its geological features, stress-strain state, and infrastructure of mine workings offer an opportunity to study the entire spectrum of processes proceeding in near-and far-field of an SNF repository. The structural geology, mineralogy and petrography, and petrophysical and tectonophysical features of the deposit at its three lower levels are considered. The sequence of metasomatic alteration of rocks and the dynamics of formation of ore-bearing faults that crosscut prototectonic elements, as well as relationships of physicomechanical properties of rocks as a function of the intensity of their metasomatic alteration and the distance from master fault planes, have been established. A 3D geological model of the deposit in combination with estimated parameters of the present-day stress field and physicomechanical properties of particular rock blocks serves as the basis for prediction of the geomechanical behavior of the massif. The practical implications of the results obtained for assessment of the long-term safety of SNF repositories in granites are discussed.

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In situ resin impregnation for investigating radionuclide retardation in fractured repository host rocks

Cited by 30 publications

References 3 publications

Characterisation of pore space geometry by 14C-PMMA impregnation—development work for in situ studies

Characterisation of pore space geometry by 14C-PMMA impregnation—development work for in situ studies

The Effect of Rock Matrix Heterogeneities Near Fracture Walls on the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) of Solutes

The Antei uranium deposit: A natural analogue of an SNF repository and an underground geodynamic laboratory in granite

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