Assessment of the evolution of the redox conditions in the SKB ILW-LLW SFR-1 repository (Sweden)

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe evaluation of the redox conditions in the Swedish ILW-LLW repository, SFR-1, is of high relevance in the performance assessment. The SFR-1 repository contains heterogeneous types of wastes, of different activity levels and with different materials in the waste and in the matrices and packaging. Steel and concrete-based materials are ubiquitous in the repository. The assessment presented in this work is based on the evaluation of the redox conditions and of the reducing capacity in 15 individual and representative waste package types in SFR-1. A combination of the individual models is used to determine the redox evolution of the different vaults in the repository. The results of the model indicate that in the initial time after repository closure, O2 is consumed through degradation of organic matter and metal corrosion during the initial time after repository closure. Afterwards, the system is kept under reducing conditions for long time periods, and H2(g) is generated due to the anoxic corrosion of steel forming magnetite as main corrosion product. The time at which steel is depleted varies with the amount and characteristics of steel and ranges from 5,000 to over 60,000 years. After complete steel corrosion, the reducing capacity of the system is mainly given by magnetite. The calculated redox potential under the chemical conditions imposed by the massive amounts of cements in the repository is in the order of -0.75 V (at pH 12.5). In case of assuming that the Eh of the system is controlled by the interaction between Fe(III)/Magnetite as a result of groundwater/magnetite interactions, redox potentials in the range -0.7 to -0.01V are calculated, considering the uncertainty in the pH prevalent in the system If the absence of oxic disturbances the Eh of the repository system would be kept reducing. In the event of oxidising and diluted glacial meltwater intrusion, magnetite would gradually convert into Fe(III) oxides, buffering the redox potential of the system and preventing it from oxidation for long time periods.