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Evolution of Chemistry and Its Effects on the Corrosion of Engineered Barrier Materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2011

Darrell Dunn
Affiliation:
ddunn@swri.org, Southwest Research Institute, Materials Engineering, CNWRA Bldg. 57, 6220 Culebra Rd., San Antonio, TX, 78238-5166, United States, 210-522-6090, 210-522-6965
Yi-Ming Pan
Affiliation:
ypan@swri.org, Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, San Antonio, TX, 78238, United States
Xihua He
Affiliation:
xhe@swri.org, Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, San Antonio, TX, 78238, United States
Lietai Yang
Affiliation:
ltyang@swri.org, Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, San Antonio, TX, 78238, United States
Roberto Pabalan
Affiliation:
rpabalan@swri.org, Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, San Antonio, TX, 78238, United States
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Abstract

The evolution of environmental conditions within the emplacement drifts of a potential high-level waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, may be influenced by several factors, including the temperature and relative humidity within the emplacement drifts and the composition of seepage water. The performance of the waste package and the drip shield may be affected by the evolution of the environmental conditions within the emplacement drifts. In this study, tests evaluated the evolution of environmental conditions on the waste package surfaces and in the surrounding host rock. The tests were designed to (i) simulate the conditions expected within the emplacement drifts; (ii) measure the changes in near-field chemistry; and (iii) determine environmental influence on the performance of the engineered barrier materials. Results of tests conducted in this study indicate the composition of salt deposits was consistent with the initial dilute water chemistry. Salts and possibly concentrated calcium chloride brines may be more aggressive than either neutral or alkaline brines.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

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