Influence of dry density on HTO diffusion in GMZ bentonite

Abstract

With the low permeability and high swelling property, Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite is regarded as the favorable candidate backfilling material for a potential repository. The diffusion behaviors of HTO in GMZ bentonite were studied to obtain effective diffusion coefficient (D e) and accessible porosity (e) by through- and out-diffusion experiments. A computer code named Fitting for diffusion coefficient (FDP) was used for the experimental data processing and theoretical modeling. The D e and e values were (5.2–11.2) × 10−11 m2/s and 0.35–0.50 at dry density from 1,800 to 2,000 kg/m3, respectively. The D e values at 1,800 kg/m3 was a little higher than that of at 2,000 kg/m3, whereas the D e value at 1,600 kg/m3 was significantly higher (approximately twice) than that of at 1,800 and 2,000 kg/m3. It may be explained that the diffusion of HTO mainly occurred in the interlayer space for the highly compacted clay (dry density exceeding 1,300 kg/m3). 1,800 and 2,000 kg/m3 probably had similar interlayer space, whereas 1,600 kg/m3 had more. Both D e and e values decreased with increasing dry density. For compacted bentonite, the relationship of D e and e could be described by Archie’s law with exponent n = 4.5 ± 1.0.