Sealing a nuclear waste repository in Columbia River basalt: preliminary results
The long containment time required of repositories for nuclear waste (10/sup 4/ to 10/sup 6/ years) requires that materials used for repository seals be stable in the geologic environment of the repository and of proven longevity. A list of candidate materials for sealing a repository in Columbia River basalts has been prepared and refined through laboratory testing. The most feasible techniques for emplacing preferred plug materials have been identified and the resultant plugs have been evaluated on the basis of design functions. Preconceptual designs for tunnel, shaft, and borehole seals consist of multiple zone plugs with each zone fulfilling one or more design functions. Zones of disturbed rock around tunnels and shafts, resulting from excavation and subsequent stress release, are zones of higher permeability and of possible fluid migration. In preliminary designs the disturbed zones are blocked by cut-off collars filled with low permeability materials.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations; Woodward-Clyde Consultants, San Francisco, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-77RL01030
- OSTI ID:
- 5200868
- Report Number(s):
- RHO-BWI-SA-50; CONF-800527-6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Design and Construction Issues Associated with Sealing of a Repository in Salt
Nuclear-waste repository in basalt: seal development studies
Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BASALT
BOREHOLES
BUILDING MATERIALS
CAVITIES
CEMENTS
CERAMICS
CHALCOGENIDES
CLAYS
CLINOPTILOLITE
CLOSURES
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
CONCRETES
GROUTING
IGNEOUS ROCKS
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MINERALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUARTZ
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
ROCKS
SEALS
SHAFT EXCAVATIONS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
TESTING
TUNNELS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
ZEOLITES