Basic model of water- and gas-flow through smectite clay buffers

Abstract

Canister embedment of highly compacted Na bentonite forms a low-permeable medium of significant homogeneity both macro- and microscopically. However, despite the fact that a large part of the porewater is in interlamellar positions and not mobile by ordinary hydraulic gradients, there are still a number of pore passages that let water and gas through even at very high bulk densities. A preliminary model for flow and diffusion has been outlined on the basis of generalized, quantitative microstructural data and basic physical relationships. It accounts for actually recorded hydraulic and gas conductivities as well as for commonly measured swelling pressures. Qualitatively, it is in agreement also with published ion diffusion data.