Abstract
Deep geologic disposal of high activity and long-lived radioactive waste is gaining increasing support in many countries, where suitable low permeability geological formation in combination with engineered barriers are used to provide long term waste contaminant and minimise the impacts to the environment and risk to the biosphere. This modelling study examines the solute transport in fractured media under low flow velocities that are relevant to deep geological environment. In particular, reactive solute transport through fractured media is studied using a 2-D model, that considers advection and diffusion, to explore the coupled effects of kinetic and equilibrium chemical processes. The effects of water velocity in the fracture, matrix porosity and diffusion on solute transport are investigated and discussed. Some illustrative modelled results are presented to demonstrate the use of the model to examine the effects of media degradation on solute transport, under the influences of hydrogeological (diffusion dominant) and microbially mediated chemical processes. The challenges facing the prediction of long term degradation such as cracks evolution, interaction and coalescence are highlighted. The potential of a novel modelling approach to account for these effects is discussed, particularly with respect to investigating multiple phenomena impact on the material performance.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Waste Management |
Pages | 12211 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Event | Waste Management 2012 Conference - Phoenix, Arizona, USA Duration: 26 Feb 2012 → 1 Mar 2012 |
Conference
Conference | Waste Management 2012 Conference |
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City | Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
Period | 26/02/12 → 1/03/12 |