Coupled Processes Associated With Nuclear Waste Repositories

Coupled Processes Associated with Nuclear Waste Repositories covers the proceedings of the 1985 International Symposium on Coupled Processes Associated with Nuclear Waste Repositories. The study of the behavior of geologic waste repositories is based on the coupled thermal, hydrologic, chemical, and mechanical processes that may occur in these systems. The symposium is sponsored by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Nuclear Energy Authority in Paris and the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels. This book is organized into five parts encompassing 58 chapters. The introductory parts survey the concerns and interests from American and European agencies that have responsibilities in nuclear waste isolation research. These parts also provide overviews of coupled processes, with a particular emphasis on hydrology, geomechanics, and geochemistry. These topics are followed by summaries of major field projects on nuclear waste repositories in the U.S.A., France, Sweden, Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland. The fourth part covers considerable research results from topical studies of particular coupled processes. The concluding part provides the comments and discussion of various international researchers on the subject. This work will be of value to geology, hydrology, chemistry, thermodynamics, and rock mechanics students and researchers.

Nuclear waste problems start to rise up by the development of nuclear power plants. Many options were considered for disposal but finally it is discovered that deep repository method was feasible both for the human health and the nature. In order to avoid possible disasters, investigations have been initiated to deepen the understanding for the coupling processes of thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and chemical parameters at the near field of the waste. Numerical computation methods emerged to analyze the coupling processes then several software have been started to use. One of them is a GeoSys/RockFlow which is created to find numerical solutions for the cases of geo-system engineering. In this work, simulation results of Thermal, Hydraulic and Mechanic(THM) processes of a 2D axis-symmetric tunnel model with a heat source, are successfully obtained. Opalinus clay parameters were used to set the model inputs. Furthermore, theoretical background subjects such as coupling and radioactive waste disposal methods were mentioned too. Finally for the further usage of GeoSys/RockFlow, THM modelling manual were prepared and for the following academic works, benchmarks were generated.

Focused attention by world leaders is needed to address the substantial challenges posed by disposal of spent nuclear fuel from reactors and high-level radioactive waste from processing such fuel. The biggest challenges in achieving safe and secure storage and permanent waste disposal are societal, although technical challenges remain. Disposition of radioactive wastes in a deep geological repository is a sound approach as long as it progresses through a stepwise decision-making process that takes advantage of technical advances, public participation, and international cooperation. Written for concerned citizens as well as policymakers, this book was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and waste management organizations in eight other countries.

Geological disposal has been internationally adopted as the most effective approach to assure the long-term, safe disposition of the used nuclear fuels and radioactive waste materials produced from nuclear power generation, nuclear weapons programs, medical, treatments, and industrial applications. Geological repository systems take advantage of natural geological barriers augmented with engineered barrier systems to isolate these radioactive materials from the environment and from future populations. Geological repository systems for safe disposal of spent nuclear fuels and radioactive waste critically reviews the state-of-the-art technologies, scientific methods, regulatory developments, and social engagement approaches directly related to the implementation of geological repository systems. Part one introduces geological disposal, including multiple-barrier geological repositories, as well as reviewing the impact of nuclear fuel recycling practices and underground research laboratory activities on the development of disposal concepts. Part two reviews geological repository siting in different host rocks, including long-term stability analysis and radionuclide transport modelling. Reviews of the range of engineered barrier systems, including waste immobilisation technologies, container materials, low pH concretes, clay-based buffer and backfill materials, and barrier performance are presented in Part three. Part four examines total system performance assessment and safety analyses for deep geological and near-surface disposal, with coverage of uncertainty analysis, use of expert judgement for decision making, and development and use of knowledge management systems. Finally, Part five covers regulatory and social approaches for the establishment of geological disposal programs, from the development of radiation standards and risk-informed, performance-based regulations, to environmental monitoring and social engagement in the siting and operation of repositories. With its distinguished international team of contributors, Geological repository systems for safe disposal of spent nuclear fuels and radioactive waste is a standard reference for all nuclear waste management and geological repository professionals and researchers. Critically reviews the state-of-the-art technologies, scientific methods, regulatory developments, and social engagement approaches related to the implementation of geological repository systems Chapters introduce geological disposal and review the development of disposal concepts Examines long-term stability analysis, the range of engineered barrier systems and barrier performance

In Mechanics of Poroelastic Media the classical theory of poroelasticity developed by Biot is developed and extended to the study of problems in geomechanics, biomechanics, environmental mechanics and materials science. The contributions are grouped into sections covering constitutive modelling, analytical aspects, numerical modelling, and applications to problems. The applications of the classical theory of poroelasticity to a wider class of problems will be of particular interest. The text is a standard reference for researchers interested in developing mathematical models of poroelasticity in geoenvironmental mechanics, and in the application of advanced theories of poroelastic biomaterials to the mechanics of biomaterials.