A global sensitivity analysis of two-phase flow between fractured crystalline rock and bentonite with application to spent nuclear fuel disposal

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
Benoît DessirierJerker Jarsjö

Abstract

Geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel in deep crystalline rock is investigated as a possible long term solution in Sweden and Finland. The fuel rods would be cased in copper canisters and deposited in vertical holes in the floor of deep underground tunnels, embedded within an engineered bentonite buffer. Recent experiments at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (Sweden) showed that the high suction of unsaturated bentonite causes a de-saturation of the adjacent rock at the time of installation, which was also independently predicted in model experiments. Remaining air can affect the flow patterns and alter bio-geochemical conditions, influencing for instance the transport of radionuclides in the case of canister failure. However, thus far, observations and model realizations are limited in number and do not capture the conceivable range and combination of parameter values and boundary conditions that are relevant for the thousands of deposition holes envisioned in an operational final repository. In order to decrease this knowledge gap, we introduce here a formalized, systematic and fully integrated approach to study the combined impact of multiple factors on air saturation and dissolution predictions, investigating the impact of...Continue Reading

References

Apr 26, 2003·Journal of Contaminant Hydrology·S FinsterleP J Cook
Feb 14, 2009·Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research·Xavier Flores-AlsinaKrist V Gernaey
Dec 1, 2010·ChemMedChem·Lars-Erik BriggnerPer H Svensson
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