Potential effects of gamma irradiation on the chemistry and alkalinity of brine in high-level nuclear waste repositories in rock salt

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5940596

Panno, S V; Soo, P

A study was conducted to investigate the possible changes in brine chemistry and alkalinity in a high-level nuclear waste salt repository caused by the interaction of brine with gamma-irradiated host rock. The technique employed involves measurements of the pH and total base in solution of brines made from rock salt irradiated to doses between 10/sup 7/ and 10/sup 10/ rad under various environmental conditions. The results show that the pH and total base of the brines increase with increasing irradiation of the parent rock salt. Rock salt samples, irradiated in the dry condition at 40/sup 0/C, produce brines with pH and total base values that increase from 7.25 pH units and 0.14 microequivalent/gram (..mu..eq/g) to upper limits of 9.25 pH units and 1.2 ..mu..eq/g, respectively. Samples, irradiated dry at 125/sup 0/C, produce brines with pH and total base values that increase to 9.60 pH units and 35 ..mu..eq/g, respectively. The increase in total base in the aforementioned brines is indicative of F-center formation (at 40/sup 0/C) and sodium-colloid formation (at 125/sup 0/C) in the salt. Saturated brines irradiated in the presence of rock salt at 125/sup 0/C, however, became progressively more acidic while brines made from the adjacent rock salt became increasingly basic. With respect to the high and low pH brines that may be adjacent to waste packages, corrosion resistance of metal containers and the leachability of the waste form may be compromised. Additional data will be required to quantify the behavior of these components under anticipated repository conditions.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Nuclear Waste Management Division, Upton, New York 11973
• OSTI ID: 5940596
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 67:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BRINES
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SALT DEPOSITS
WASTE-ROCK INTERACTIONS
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CONTAINERS
CORROSION RESISTANCE
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
LEACHING
PH VALUE
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
CHEMISTRY
DISSOLUTION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY
053000* - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
510301 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Soil- (-1987)