Hygric properties of concrete casing for radioactive waste deposition

0503695 - ÚACH 2020 RIV AT eng C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Konvalinka, P. - Vejmelková, E. - Scheinherrová, L. - Doleželová, M. - Bezdička, Petr
Hygric properties of concrete casing for radioactive waste deposition.
18th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2018. Sofia: STEF92 Technology, 2018, Roč. 18, č. 4.3 (2018), s. 3-10. ISSN 1314-2704.
[International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference, SGEM 2018 /18./. Vienna (AT), 03.12.2018-06.12.2018]
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA17-11635S
Institutional support: RVO:61388980
Keywords : Basic physical properties * Concrete casing * Mechanical properties * Radioactive waste deposition * Water transport properties
OECD category: Inorganic and nuclear chemistry
https://www.sgem.org/index.php/elibrary?view=publication&task=show&id=2143

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of concrete designed as a secondary barrier for radioactive waste deposition. Sorption materials, such as natural zeolite, have very good encapsulation ability to certain ions, which can be harmful for the environment, such as 137 Cs. Incorporation of natural zeolite into concrete may increase the protection ability of secondary barriers against radionuclide release. Determination of water-transport-and water vapour transport properties of such concrete can present an important indicator of concrete quality, in particular in the link to its basic physical properties. In this study, concrete mixtures containing various amounts of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) were prepared. For the reference mixture, there was only cement used as a binder. In the other mixtures, 10% of natural zeolite was added to take part in the hydration due to its pozzolanity. The excess amount of natural zeolite played as an inert filler with sorption properties. The experimental results show an increasing trend of the open porosity with the addition of natural zeolite, which can also be seen on a gradual decrease of both, bulk and matrix density. Consequently, both water transport and water vapour transport are enhanced with the increasing amount of natural zeolite in the concrete mixture.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0302672