Discussion of parameters used to distinguish suitable from less suitable HLRW bentonites

Abstract

Abstract. Bentonites will be used in the construction of some high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) repositories mostly in combination with crystalline host rocks. They will be used both as a geotechnical barrier (compacted bentonite blocks) around the canisters and for backfilling. The bentonite should be stable in contact with cement pore water, minimize metal corrosion, be stable against erosion and various salt solutions, retard radionuclides, prevent canister displacement, possess high thermal conductivity, be stable against radioactive radiation, keep its swelling capacity even when dried, and, most importantly, should have a low hydraulic conductivity. Bentonites are natural materials (clays) which are dominated by swelling clay minerals called smectites. All bentonites, therefore, possess high water uptake capacity, swelling, and cation exchange properties. Different bentonites from different deposits worldwide differ with respect to their chemical and mineralogical composition, composition and charge distribution of the smectites, particle size and morphology, microstructure (arrangement of particles relative to each other), and interlayer population. All these parameters affect the performances of bentonites in different applications. The bentonite industry, therefore, compares different bentonites based on empirical investigations to produce superior products. Specifications which could be used to select a suitable HLRW bentonite were discussed by Kaufhold and Dohrmann (2016). Additional information has been published later (Kaufhold et al., 2020a, b). First of all, some of the above listed desired bentonite properties depend more on the degree to which it is compacted compared to the natural variability. High compaction decreases the hydraulic conductivity and increases thermal conductivity. In order to prevent canister displacement only a small swelling pressure is needed which is easily achieved by compaction with all bentonites. Generally, the type of exchangeable cation is the most important parameter determining bentonite properties such as swelling and rheology. Large scale deposition tests, however, proved that the cation population will readily equilibrate with the surrounding water. The initial type of exchangeable cation is, therefore, less relevant. More important is the Fe content which negatively affects the thermal and chemical stability. Structural Fe of the smectites can be reduced or oxidized by bacteria and radiation. The Fe content of the bentonite should therefore be low. Highly charged smectites proved to be less corrosive in combination with iron canisters because they provide more reducing conditions compared to low charged ones. Bentonites containing highly charged smectites should be preferred if Fe canisters are used. In the case of Cu canisters no effect of the charge could be found. Also, soluble or at least partly soluble components such as sulphates, sulphides, carbonates, and organic matter should be absent since their possible dissolution would decrease the dry density and hence the swelling pressure. The presence of reactive silica in some bentonites proved to buffer the dissolution reactions at the cement bentonite interface and hence could have a beneficial effect.