Low head hyperfiltration through intact Burlington Limestone and Jefferson City Dolomite discs

Low-level waste is stored in multilayer, overlapping barrier systems for long-term containment, which serve as the primary barrier against leakage. Reinforced concrete is typically used as the container material for radioactive wastes, making the material properties paramount for contaminant control. Strength, density, corrosion resistance and permeability are regulated. This study examined the physico-chemical properties of high-density, lower-permeability concrete for potential to hyperfiltrate chloride solutions (185 and 345 parts per million) under relatively low hydraulic head, similar to encasement. Four hyperfiltration experiments were conducted on intact concrete discs, two experiments for each solution at hydrostatic heads of 0·5 and 1·0 m. Chloride concentrations measured within the experimental cells showed an increase ranging from 126% to 152%. Reflection coefficients ranged from 0·15 to 0·19, suggesting that low-permeability concrete discs exhibit measurable solute rejection capabilities. External chloride penetration may initially be hampered. However, once steady state had been established and salt penetrated at a fixed rate, the concentration polarization layer (CPL) provided a source for continued penetration. With the CPL adjacent to a container, corrosion may accelerate in the reinforcing rebar due to the high chloride concentration and chemical gradient within the pores. The application of electro-osmotic pulses can reverse chloride intrusion.

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Low head hyperfiltration through intact Burlington Limestone and Jefferson City Dolomite discs

Cited by 4 publications

References 27 publications

Revisiting reverse osmosis as a mechanism contributing to metal zoning in porphyry copper deposits

Revisiting reverse osmosis as a mechanism contributing to metal zoning in porphyry copper deposits

Influence of Variable Membrane Behavior of Clay on Solute Transport

Semipermeability of concrete for hazardous waste containment

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