Bentonite as an engineered barrier material for nuclear waste repository - Geotechnical perspectives, key properties, knowledge gaps, and opportunities

IF 2.6 3区工程技术 Q1 NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Nuclear Engineering and Technology Pub Date : 2025-05-12 DOI:10.1016/j.net.2025.103700

Dong-Hwa Noh , Seunghee Kim , Jose Maria Ferdinand Victoria Calaunan , Yuan Feng , Jongwan Eun , Yong-Rak Kim

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Abstract

The deep geological repository is a widely recognized solution for isolating high-level radioactive waste (HLW). Bentonite, with its low hydraulic permeability, high swelling property, and strong sorption capacity, serves as a key engineered barrier material to prevent radioactive leakage. While extensive studies have examined its thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) properties, some aspects still remain unclear, requiring further research to secure the long-term stability of bentonite. This paper presents a comprehensive review of bentonite's role in deep geological repositories from a geotechnical perspective. It first review the basics of montmorillonite, the primary mineral of bentonite, and its unique pore structure. Next, it examines past and ongoing nuclear waste disposal projects worldwide, highlighting key findings. Furthermore, the essential engineering properties of compacted bentonite blocks, including thermal and hydraulic conductivity, swelling pressure, water retention capacity, and mineral transformation, are reviewed. Lastly, this paper discusses the challenges, opportunities, and future research needs for optimizing bentonite's performance as a barrier material in geological disposal systems. By consolidating past research and identifying knowledge gaps, this review aims to provide insights into improving the long-term efficiency and stability of bentonite-based barrier systems for HLW containment.

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膨润土作为核废料储存库的工程屏障材料-岩土工程观点，关键特性，知识差距和机会

深层地质处置库是一种被广泛认可的隔离高放废物的解决方案。膨润土具有渗透性低、溶胀性强、吸附能力强等特点，是防止放射性物质泄漏的关键工程屏障材料。虽然对膨润土的热-水-机械（THM）性能进行了广泛的研究，但仍有一些方面尚不清楚，需要进一步研究以确保膨润土的长期稳定性。本文从岩土力学的角度全面综述了膨润土在深部储层中的作用。本文首先介绍了膨润土的主要矿物蒙脱土的基本成分及其独特的孔隙结构。接下来，它审查了世界各地过去和正在进行的核废料处理项目，突出了主要发现。此外，介绍了压实膨润土块体的基本工程性能，包括导热性、导电性、膨胀压力、保水能力和矿物转化。最后，本文讨论了膨润土作为地质处置系统中屏障材料性能优化的挑战、机遇和未来的研究需求。通过巩固过去的研究和确定知识空白，本综述旨在为提高用于高浓缩铀围堵的膨润土屏障系统的长期效率和稳定性提供见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Nuclear Engineering and Technology 工程技术-核科学技术

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

7.40%

发文量

431

审稿时长

3.5 months

期刊介绍： Nuclear Engineering and Technology (NET), an international journal of the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS), publishes peer-reviewed papers on original research, ideas and developments in all areas of the field of nuclear science and technology. NET bimonthly publishes original articles, reviews, and technical notes. The journal is listed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) of Thomson Reuters. NET covers all fields for peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and radiation as follows: 1) Reactor Physics 2) Thermal Hydraulics 3) Nuclear Safety 4) Nuclear I&C 5) Nuclear Physics, Fusion, and Laser Technology 6) Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Radioactive Waste Management 7) Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Materials 8) Radiation Application 9) Radiation Protection 10) Nuclear Structural Analysis and Plant Management & Maintenance 11) Nuclear Policy, Economics, and Human Resource Development