Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-00951, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Krol, Magdalena (York University)|Krol, Magdalena (Université York), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Collaborative Research and Development Grants - Project, program name french : Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative - projet, program purpose english : Many countries are studying long-term solutions for safe storage of used nuclear fuel. One such solution,_x000D_
selected by the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), is the use of deep geological_x000D_
repositories (DGRs) that would be located several hundred metres below ground level. DGRs would store used_x000D_
fuel canisters (UFCs) surrounded by an engineered barrier system (EBS), composed of copper coatings to act as_x000D_
a corrosion barrier and highly compacted bentonite (HCB) that surrounds the UFC. HCB swells upon contact_x000D_
with water and can therefore seal gaps within the repository and provide a moderately thermally conductive_x000D_
medium. It can also slow groundwater infiltration and retard the movement of radionuclides in the event of a_x000D_
UFC breach. In addition, the HCB can suppress microbial activity near the container by restricting space and_x000D_
water availability to microbes that may be present. However, diffusion of sulphide can result in microbially_x000D_
influenced corrosion (MIC), potentially causing early failure of the barrier. The proposed research will_x000D_
investigate the factors that can affect sulfide diffusion to the UFC surface. The project will include diffusion_x000D_
experiments performed under a range of potential repository conditions, based on current Canadian design_x000D_
specifications and predictions for DGR conditions. The results of the experimental studies will be used to_x000D_
further expand and validate a three-dimensional computer model. The resulting model will be capable of_x000D_
parametric studies to refine and optimize the design of the Canadian DGR. The results of this study will_x000D_
identify key parameters that may result in higher corrosion rates, leading to a refinement of NWMO's EBS_x000D_
design and providing Canadians with a safe and sustainable method of used nuclear fuel disposal. This study_x000D_
will address significant scientific questions regarding diffusion of corrosive species through the engineered_x000D_
barrier system in sub-surface environments, and will also enhance predictive modelling capabilities to_x000D_
strengthen the sponsoring agency's long-term DGR design/performance criteria., program purpose french : Many countries are studying long-term solutions for safe storage of used nuclear fuel. One such solution,_x000D_
selected by the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), is the use of deep geological_x000D_
repositories (DGRs) that would be located several hundred metres below ground level. DGRs would store used_x000D_
fuel canisters (UFCs) surrounded by an engineered barrier system (EBS), composed of copper coatings to act as_x000D_
a corrosion barrier and highly compacted bentonite (HCB) that surrounds the UFC. HCB swells upon contact_x000D_
with water and can therefore seal gaps within the repository and provide a moderately thermally conductive_x000D_
medium. It can also slow groundwater infiltration and retard the movement of radionuclides in the event of a_x000D_
UFC breach. In addition, the HCB can suppress microbial activity near the container by restricting space and_x000D_
water availability to microbes that may be present. However, diffusion of sulphide can result in microbially_x000D_
influenced corrosion (MIC), potentially causing early failure of the barrier. The proposed research will_x000D_
investigate the factors that can affect sulfide diffusion to the UFC surface. The project will include diffusion_x000D_
experiments performed under a range of potential repository conditions, based on current Canadian design_x000D_
specifications and predictions for DGR conditions. The results of the experimental studies will be used to_x000D_
further expand and validate a three-dimensional computer model. The resulting model will be capable of_x000D_
parametric studies to refine and optimize the design of the Canadian DGR. The results of this study will_x000D_
identify key parameters that may result in higher corrosion rates, leading to a refinement of NWMO's EBS_x000D_
design and providing Canadians with a safe and sustainable method of used nuclear fuel disposal. This study_x000D_
will address significant scientific questions regarding diffusion of corrosive species through the engineered_x000D_
barrier system in sub-surface environments, and will also enhance predictive modelling capabilities to_x000D_
strengthen the sponsoring agency's long-term DGR design/performance criteria., agreement title english : Diffusion of corrosion agents through an engineered barrier system, agreement title french : Diffusion of corrosion agents through an engineered barrier system, agreement number : CRDPJ, agreement value : 237500.0, agreement start date : 2018-03-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2020-2021)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2020-2021)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada