bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Derivation of an approximate analytical solution for understanding the response characteristics of the EBS
Authors: Ohi T. , Chiba T. , Nakagawa T. , Takase T. , Nakazawa T. , Akagi Y. , Idemitsu K. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTTo perform a safety assessment for the geological disposal of radioactive waste, it is important to understand the response characteristics of the disposal system. In this study, approximate analytical solutions for steady-state nuclide releases from the engineered barrier system (EBS) of a repository were derived for an orthogonal one-dimensional diffusion model. In these approximate analytical solutions, inventory depletion, decay during migration and the influence of groundwater flow in the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) were considered. These solutions were simplified by the Taylor theorem in order to clearly represent the response characteristics of the EBS. The validity of these solutions was shown by comparison with numerical solutions. The response characteristics of the EBS are useful for identifying target values for important parameters that would have the effect of improving the robustness of system safety. The robustness of the geological disposal system and the reliability of the safety assessment can thus potentially be improved using the approximate analytical solutions.
Modelling Deep Borehole Disposal of Higher Burn-up Spent Nuclear Fuels
Authors: Travis Karl P. , Gibb Fergus G. F. , Hesketh Kevin W. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTHigher burn-up (> 50 GWd/t) spent nuclear fuels (SNF) present problems for long-term management and disposal in mined repositories, principally because of their higher heat output. Here we present results from heat flow modeling of an alternative scheme for disposing of SNF - deep borehole disposal (DBD). We focus on how temperatures on the outer surface of the containers evolve, affect the melting and re-solidification of the high density support matrix (HDSM) and their consequences for the feasibility of this disposal concept. We conclude that not only is DBD a viable option for higher burn-up SNF, but it could be a practical disposal route for a range of combinations of SNF ages and number of fuel pins per container.
Research of Rock Mass Gas Conductivity with respect to Geological Disposal and the EDZ
Authors: Svoboda Jiri , Smutek Jan 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe geological disposal of radioactive waste, based on a multi-barrier concept wherein the first barrier consists of the metal waste container and the final barrier the host rock, is widely considered the only viable solution.Following disposal the risk will remain of the formation of gases due to corrosion and other processes. Research being carried out at the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), Centre of Experimental Geotechnics (CEG), the Josef underground laboratory as part of FORGE and other projects focuses on gas migration in underground areas and especially within the EDZ.The research consists of several stages including the design of gas conductivity equipment destined for in-situ testing and the gas conductivity tests proper. An important part of the research involves the evaluation of a potential correlation between rock mass classification parameters and gas conductivity; a certain degree of correlation was identified in earlier research projects. The discovery of such a correlation would greatly assist in the future design of underground gas storage and deep radioactive waste facilities.
Modeling of the oxic stage in a HLW disposal cell in an argillaceous host rock
Authors: Marsal François , De Windt Laurent , Pellegrini Delphine 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTDetermining the redox conditions in the near field of deep underground radioactive waste disposal cells is a key question regarding the performance of metallic components (e.g. waste overpack), which may undergo drastic corrosion processes in oxic conditions. This oxic transient is supposed to be short due notably to the oxygen consumption by corrosion and pyrite oxidation. However, the observed precipitation of Fe(III)-minerals as well as localized corrosion patterns on steel coupons placed during 6 years in a borehole drilled in the Toarcian argillite of Tournemire (France) may suggest that in-situ oxic conditions lasted several years, which is not consistent with reactive transport simulations performed with usual hypotheses (perfect contact between materials, high pyrite accessibility, water saturated conditions). Multicomponent reactive transport simulations considering gas diffusion were performed with the code HYTEC and reproduce correctly the observations made in Tournemire while considering imperfect interfaces and resaturation processes. The model was then applied to a disposal cell for high-level waste (HLW) representative of the design developed in France, putting into evidence the possibility of a redox contrast between the front and back of a disposal cell in an argillaceous medium, as well as a duration of the oxic stage within the cell as long as the ventilation of handling drifts is maintained.
Sensing and Monitoring of Radwaste Storage: A Realtime Online Demonstrator
Authors: Cosentino Luigi , Calì Claudio , De Luca Giovanni , Finocchiaro Paolo , Litrico Pietro , Pappalardo Alfio , Piscopo Massimo , Scirè Carlotta , Scirè Sergio 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTAt INFN-LNS we have developed a new kind of gamma mini-sensor, which allowed to implement a prototype array of modular sensors for online monitoring of radioactive waste. The sensors are based on Silicon PhotoMultipliers and scintillating fibers sensitive to gamma radiation, that have to be placed in a repository in shape of a fine grid, around each single waste drum. We simulated the counting response of thin scintillating fibers and verified the results with measurements using radioactive sources. Front-end electronics and an FPGA-based counting system were developed to handle the field data, also implementing data transmission, a graphical user interface and a data storage system. Moreover a test of four sensors in a real radwaste storage site was performed with promising results.
The Importance of Verification and Validation Testing of Engineering Designs in Underground Rock Laboratories
Authors: Scourse Eleanor M. , Kickmaier Wolfgang , McKinley Ian G. , Kawamura Hideki , Stephens Samuel T. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTSeveral national programs for geological disposal of higher activity radioactive waste will initiate siting via a call for volunteers. This is probably furthest advanced in Japan (NUMO) and the UK (NDA RWMD). In both these cases, rather than focusing on a reference repository concept, a catalogue of options has been developed. This requires a process to tailor design options to sites and compare particular design/site combinations as part of the site selection process. As has been noted in the longer-running Japanese program, the assessment of options must be as realistic as possible, rather than conservative, as in past nominating approaches to siting. Past demonstration work has focused on feasibility, showing that it is possible to implement a design. Determining practicality, which incorporates many more complex factors, is more difficult. Extensive desk studies can form a basis for such analysis but these must be rigorously tested, which makes full-scale tests in Underground Rock Laboratories (URLs) an essential component of any program. This paper highlights the importance of such demonstration projects and illustrates how they are vital in both improving understanding of the engineered barrier system and stakeholder engagement.
Evaluating the corrosion rate of low alloyed steel in Callovo-Oxfordian clay: towards a complementary EIS, gravimetric and structural study
Authors: Martin Frantz A. , Perrin Stéphane , Bataillon Christian 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTDedicated integrated experiments have been used to determine in situ the corrosion rate of low alloyed steels in geological repository mockups (90°C, anaerobic, 40 bars, slow synthetic water flux…). Two possible situations have been investigated: the steel can either be in direct contact with the host rock or in a solution rich in clay suspension. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), sampling gravimetry and microanalyses have been performed to determine the corrosion rate evolution with the exposure duration of the specimens. Kinetic regime modifications have been linked to structural modifications of the corrosion products interface.
Effect of temperature on the crevice corrosion resistance of Ni-Cr-Mo alloys as engineered barriers in nuclear waste repositories
Authors: Hornus Edgar C. , Mabel Giordano C. , Rodríguez Martín A. , Carranza Ricardo M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTNi-Cr-Mo alloys offer an outstanding corrosion resistance in a wide variety of highly corrosive environments. Alloys 625, C-22, C-22HS and HYBRID-BC1 are considered among candidates as engineered barriers of nuclear repositories. The objective of the present work was to assess the effect of temperature on the crevice corrosion resistance of these alloys. The crevice corrosion repassivation potential (ER,CREV) of the tested alloys was determined by the Potentiodynamic-Galvanostatic-Potentiodynamic (PD-GS-PD) method. Alloy HYBRID-BC1 was the most resistant to chloride-induced crevice corrosion, followed by alloys C-22HS, C-22 and 625. ER,CREV showed a linear decrease with temperature. There is a temperature above which ER,CREV does not decrease anymore, reaching a minimum value. This ER,CREV value is a strong parameter for assessing the localized corrosion susceptibility of a material in a long term timescale, since it is independent of temperature, chloride concentration and geometrical variables such as crevicing mechanism, crevice gap and type of crevice former.
Effect of Alloy Composition on the Localized Corrosion Resistance of Nickel Alloys
Authors: Sosa Haudet Santiago , Rodríguez Martín A. , Carranza Ricardo M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTNickel base alloys are considered among candidate materials for engineered barriers of nuclear repositories. The localized corrosion resistance is a determining factor in the materials selection for this application. This work compares the crevice corrosion resistance of selected nickel base alloys, namely 625, G-30, G-35, C-22, C-22HS and HYBRID-BC1. The crevice corrosion repassivation potential (ER,CREV) of the tested alloys was determined by the Potentiodynamic-Galvanostatic-Potentiodynamic (PD-GS-PD) method. The testing temperature was 60ºC and the chloride concentrations used were 0.1 M, 1 M and 10 M.A linear relationship between ER,CREV and the logarithm of chloride concentration was found. ER,CREV increased linearly with PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) in concentrated chloride solutions. ER,CREV is the sum of three contributions: ECORR*, η and ΔΦ. ECORR* and η increased linearly with PREN, while ΔΦ increased linearly with PREN for concentrated chloride solutions, not showing a definite trend with PREN for the less concentrated solutions.
Identification of the Cathode Reaction Accompanied with Overpack Corrosion
Authors: Otsuka Ichiro , Iida Yoshihisa , Yamaguchi Tetsuji , Kato Osamu , Tateishi Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Tadao 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTCathode reaction on overpack corrosion in the geological repository environments of radioactive waste was identified from corrosion experiments of carbon steel specimens. Carbon steel specimens were encapsulated in degassed glass ampoules with various solutions which were prepared by distilled water degassed by Ar gas bubbling, and set in a thermostatic bath for several weeks. In the X-ray diffraction and X-ray photochemical spectroscopy, crystalline Fe3O4 and Fe2(OH)2CO3, and amorphous Fe(OH)2 were mainly detected on specimens which were immersed into distilled water, high concentration of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, and low concentration of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and sodium sulfate solution, respectively. Only hydrogen gas was detected in a gas phase analysis, indicating that hydrogen generation reaction was the dominant cathode reaction in the anoxic condition expected in geological repository environments.
Topological connectivity analysis of accumulated radiation damage from multiple molecular dynamics recoil cascades
Authors: Foxhall Henry R. , Harding John H. , Travis Karl P. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe results of sequential large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of radiation damage cascades in Gd2Ti2O7 and Gd2Zr2O7 are presented. Twelve alpha recoil cascades, each due to a recoil atom with 40 keV of kinetic energy, are performed in both materials and a stark contrast in behaviour observed. Topological connectivity analysis is used to analyse the structural evolution of the two systems. Our results provide important insight into accumulation of disorder in pyrochlore-structured ceramics.
Consistency of the strontium transport parameters in Boom Clay obtained from different types of experiments: accounting for the filter plates
Authors: Aertsens Marc , Govaerts Joan , Maes Norbert , Van Laer Liesbeth 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTIn a previous MRS paper, the consistency of migration parameters for strontium (Sr) in Boom Clay, obtained by different types of experiments, was examined. No consistent value could be obtained for the product ηR of the diffusion accessible porosity η and the retardation factor R. Furthermore the nearly flat concentration profile measured in one of the through diffusion experiments could not be explained by the traditional through diffusion model. A reason is that the filter plates confining the clay sample have not been taken into account.Therefore, for Sr and tritiated water (HTO), the apparent diffusion coefficient and the product ηR in the filters are measured in through diffusion experiments on filter plates.Taking into account the filter plates, the outlet fluxes and the Sr profiles in the clay of both Sr through diffusion experiments, are described well with (i) the previously estimated Sr apparent diffusion coefficient in the clay of 7 × 10-12 m2/s, (ii) an apparent filter diffusion coefficient in the range 2 × 10-12 m2/s to 5 × 10-11 m2/s (vs. 1 × 10-11 m2/s measured in the filter through diffusion experiments), (iii) a clay capacity factor ηR in the range between 5000 and 22000, and (iv) a filter capacity factor between 0.3 and 0.6 (in agreement with the filter through diffusion measurements). However, using the above parameters, the evolution at the inlet could not be described. So although inconsistency diminished, some inconsistency remains.
An Investigation of Microbial Effect as Biofilm Formation on Radionuclide Migration
Authors: Yoshikawa H. , Kawakita M. , Fujiwara K. , Sato T. , Asano T. , Sasaki Y. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTIt is well discussed about biological effect to high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal and known that the biofilm is considered to be the uncertain factor to estimate for migration of radioactive elements. The objective of this research is to estimate the microbial effect of Cs migration in groundwater interacted with rock surface. Specially, we focus on Cs behavior at the rock surface surrounded by biofilm. The most important factor is the Cs sorption and diffusion to the microbe and/or their biofilm. Generation of bio-colloid absorbed with Cs and retardation of Cs by their matrix diffusion in rock will be influenced by these phenomena. We introduce about scenario analysis for biofilm and a simple Cs diffusion test with and without sulfur reducing bacteria (SRB) which is well known as easy to produce biofilm on the rock surface in order to clarify the existence effect of the bacteria at the rock surface. The Cs diffusion experiment, using Desulfovivrio desullfuricans as SRB, indicated that microbial effect was less to through their biofilm in the experimental condition. We consider that Cs is easy to contact the rock surface even if surrounded biofilm and not effect to retardation by matrix diffusion scenario.
Advances in a Bioprocess for the Treatment of Nuclear Waste: Spent Ionic Exchange Resins
Authors: Mosquera Rodríguez León , Pizarro Ramón A. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTDevelopment of a bioprocess intended to achieve a volume reduction of spent resins (either from research and power reactors) is the main purpose of this research project. Search is constrained to microorganisms that exhibit radioresistance, and which can be cultured in a heavy metal environment with additives of nuclear reactor waters such as boron, lithium and gadolinium compounds.Bacteria adapted to a radioactive environment were obtained by treating a RA-3 Reactor spent ionic exchange resin sample (kept at Área de Gestión Ezeiza: AGE) with sterile water; microorganisms suspended were isolated, subject to purity controls and characterized.Experiments performed with these strains include:-Culture in a mineral-broth having polystyrene as source of both carbon and energy. The strain RMB 1200 gave the highest number of viable cells, then being tested with some aromatic compounds, and with some additives of nuclear reactor waters and other elements found in spent resins.-An anionic exchange resin sample was heated, yielding a chemical environment resembling to that of radiolysed resins, and then RMB 1200 strain was cultured with this solid.-A technique to stain polymers was developed in order to find morphological changes caused by microbiological activity. Microscopic examination of cultured polymer samples has been performed.Results obtained with RMB 1200 include metabolic capabilities to use aromatic carbon sources (benzoate, polyphenols), its growth with polystyrene and resin, and short-term tolerance to several xenobiotics assayed at higher concentration levels than the ones of spent resins.
Development of New Fullerene-based Electron Acceptors for Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Matsuo Yutaka 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThis article describes design of fullerene-based electron-accepting materials to obtain high performance in organic thin-film photovoltaic devices. A 1,4-bis(dimethylphenylsilylmethyl)[60]fullerene gives higher open circuit voltage than 1,2-diadduct because of smaller π-conjugated systems, and enables columnar fullerene-core array for high electron mobility and thermal crystallization for ideal phase separation with electron-donor materials. A 56π-electron fullerene derivative possessing the dihydromethano group as the smallest carbon addend does not disrupt fullerene-fullerene contact in solid state, giving high open-circuit voltage without decreasing of short-circuit current density and fill factor.
Plasmonic Solar Cells with Embedded Silver Nanoparticles from Vapor Condensation
Authors: Santbergen Rudi , Tan Hairen , Pfeiffer Tobias , Li Xin , Frijnts Tim , Smets Arno , Schmidt-Ott Andreas , Zeman Miro 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe use of plasmonic nanoparticles as light scattering elements for light trapping in solar cells is studied. From theoretical considerations it follows that Ag particles with a diameter on the order of 100 nm possess ideal light scattering properties. It is demonstrated that these particles can be fabricated using the selective aerosol deposition technique. Because this newly developed technique provides excellent control over critical parameters such as particle size and surface coverage it is a valuable tool for optimizing plasmonic solar cells. The initial experiments show that embedding Ag particles with a diameter of 180 nm into amorphous silicon solar cells enhances the current output.
Tuning Light Scattering by Periodic Metal Nanoparticle Arrays for Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Payne David N. R. , Temple Tristan L. , Bagnall Darren M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe drive to reduce the thickness of solar cells is putting ever greater demands on light-trapping techniques. Techniques are required to improve absorption of light within the semiconductor, while not adversely affecting the electrical properties of the device. Conventional diffraction gratings can scatter visible and near-infrared photons into large angles, which get trapped in the silicon layer by total internal reflection. However, diffraction gratings typically have large feature sizes and so increase the overall surface area of a solar cell compared to the planar case. A periodic arrangement of metal nanoparticles acts as a diffraction grating, but an over-coated semiconductor will have a similar surface area to a planar layer due a combination of a low particle height and low surface coverage.Random arrays of identical metal nanoparticles feature Lorentzian scattering peaks that can be tuned by modifying the size and shape of the particle. Periodic arrays have much more complicated scattering peaks, due to the enhancement and suppression of scattering at different wavelengths caused by the constructive and destructive interference between each nanoparticle. In effect the scattering spectrum of the individual nanoparticle is modified by the diffractive orders of the array, and so both parameters must be optimized together.We have studied periodic arrays of metal nanoparticles fabricated using electron-beam lithography, and characterised their reflectance properties. The optical properties of the fabricated arrays were found to be in good agreement with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. Au and Al nanoparticles are found to have a strong scattering effect and Al nanoparticles are also shown to exhibit an anti-reflection effect in combination with scattering. This work is focused on verifying that FDTD simulations can accurately model metal nanoparticle arrays and then extending the simulations to determine the previously unknown transmittance characteristics of metal nanoparticle arrays on silicon.
Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles
Authors: Etier Morad F. , Shvartsman Vladimir V. , Stromberg Frank , Landers Joachim , Wende Heiko , Lupascu Doru C. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTNanopowders of cobalt iron oxide (CoFe2O4) were successfully fabricated by the co-precipitation method followed by a technique to prevent particle agglomeration. Particle sizes were in the range of 24 to 44 nm. The size of cobalt iron oxide particles decreases with increasing the concentration of the precipitation agent. The crystal structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the chemical composition by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and phase changes by thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TGA-TDA). The particle morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Magnetic properties were investigated by SQUID magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Being nearly monodisperse and non-agglomerated the prepared cobalt iron oxide powders are the base for synthesizing magnetoelectric composites embedded in a ferroelectric BaTiO3 matrix.