Electrochemical and Corrosion Examination of Copper Under Deep Geologic Conditions for the Application of Nuclear Waste Containers

Electrochemical and Corrosion Examination of Copper Under Deep Geologic Conditions for the Application of Nuclear Waste Containers
Author: Taylor L. Martino
Publisher:
Total Pages: 186
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

Copper is the selected material for the fabrication of nuclear fuel waste containers in Sweden, Finland and Canada due to its corrosion resistance in the anoxic aqueous environments, anticipated in deep geological repositories. A potential oxidant for copper is bisulphide produced either by the dissolution of minerals or by sulphate-reducing bacteria. The primary goals of this thesis were to determine the mechanism of corrosion of copper in bisulphide environments and to investigate the chemistry of the bentonite porewater that will ultimately be in contact with the copper container. The mechanism of sulphide film growth and the details of copper corrosion in anoxic aqueous bisulphide solutions in the presence of various groundwater anions have been investigated electrochemically. The chalcocite films were analyzed via voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface analysis. Under these conditions, growth of a coherent film occurred initially but the development of interfacial stresses led rapidly to film fracture. Upon fracture, a resistive outer chalcocite deposit formed with continued growth governed by the mass transport of bisulphide. Specific anion effects were observed with chloride, a common groundwater ion, found to maintain porosity in the chalcocite film while the oxyanions, sulphate and bicarbonate were found to suppress film growth. At high bisulphide concentrations and positive potentials growth of the outer deposit caused an apparent partial passivation of the surface, which theoretically could lead to localized film breakdown and pitting. However, the required high bisulphide concentrations are not attainable in a deep geologic repository and pitting should not occur. Bentonite porewater chemistry was successfully monitored using a novel experimental set-up. Electrochemical sensors monitoring pH, chloride concentration and the copper corrosion potential were placed both on the surface and inside of a bentonite clay disk. The results showed that the bentonite acted like a pH buffer and chloride from bulk solution adsorbed onto the montmorillonite structure. Corrosion potential measurements suggested that corrosion likely occurred via formation of a copper chloride complex or growth of a cuprite film. Data collected from these studies will be used directly by SKB via incorporation into models.

Geological Repository Systems for Safe Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuels and Radioactive Waste

Geological Repository Systems for Safe Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuels and Radioactive Waste
Author: Michael J Apted
Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
Total Pages: 804
Release: 2017-05-25
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0081006527

Geological Repository Systems for Safe Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuels and Radioactive Waste, Second Edition, critically reviews state-of-the-art technologies and scientific methods relating to the implementation of the most effective approaches to the long-term, safe disposition of nuclear waste, also discussing regulatory developments and social engagement approaches as major themes. Chapters in Part One introduce the topic of geological disposal, providing an overview of near-surface, intermediate depth, and deep borehole disposal, spanning low-, medium- and high-level wastes. Part Two addresses the different types of repository systems – crystalline, clay, and salt, also discussing methods of site surveying and construction. The critical safety issue of engineered barrier systems is the focus of Part Three, with coverage ranging from nuclear waste canisters, to buffer and backfill materials. Lastly, Parts Four and Five focus on safety, security, and acceptability, concentrating on repository performance assessment, then radiation protection, environmental monitoring, and social engagement. Comprehensively revised, updated, and expanded with 25% new material on topics of current importance, this is the standard reference for all nuclear waste management and geological repository professionals and researchers. Contains 25% more material on topics of current importance in this new, comprehensive edition Fully updated coverage of both near-surface/intermediate depth, and deep borehole disposal in one convenient volume Goes beyond the scientific and technical aspects of disposal to include the political, regulatory, and societal issues involved, all from an international perspective

Comprehensive Nuclear Materials

Comprehensive Nuclear Materials
Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 4871
Release: 2020-07-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0081028660

Materials in a nuclear environment are exposed to extreme conditions of radiation, temperature and/or corrosion, and in many cases the combination of these makes the material behavior very different from conventional materials. This is evident for the four major technological challenges the nuclear technology domain is facing currently: (i) long-term operation of existing Generation II nuclear power plants, (ii) the design of the next generation reactors (Generation IV), (iii) the construction of the ITER fusion reactor in Cadarache (France), (iv) and the intermediate and final disposal of nuclear waste. In order to address these challenges, engineers and designers need to know the properties of a wide variety of materials under these conditions and to understand the underlying processes affecting changes in their behavior, in order to assess their performance and to determine the limits of operation. Comprehensive Nuclear Materials, Second Edition, Seven Volume Set provides broad ranging, validated summaries of all the major topics in the field of nuclear material research for fission as well as fusion reactor systems. Attention is given to the fundamental scientific aspects of nuclear materials: fuel and structural materials for fission reactors, waste materials, and materials for fusion reactors. The articles are written at a level that allows undergraduate students to understand the material, while providing active researchers with a ready reference resource of information. Most of the chapters from the first Edition have been revised and updated and a significant number of new topics are covered in completely new material. During the ten years between the two editions, the challenge for applications of nuclear materials has been significantly impacted by world events, public awareness, and technological innovation. Materials play a key role as enablers of new technologies, and we trust that this new edition of Comprehensive Nuclear Materials has captured the key recent developments. Critically reviews the major classes and functions of materials, supporting the selection, assessment, validation and engineering of materials in extreme nuclear environments Comprehensive resource for up-to-date and authoritative information which is not always available elsewhere, even in journals Provides an in-depth treatment of materials modeling and simulation, with a specific focus on nuclear issues Serves as an excellent entry point for students and researchers new to the field

Sulphur-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Disposal Systems

Sulphur-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Disposal Systems
Author: Damien Féron
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2020-11-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1000107116

In the different disposal concepts for high-level nuclear waste, corrosion of the metallic barriers and in particular the overpack/container is a major issue. It is imperative for performance assessment to predict the lifetime of these containers. In the lifetime prediction of metallic barriers for the disposal of high level nuclear waste (HLW) or of spent fuel, the presence of (reduced) sulphur species is an issue of growing importance, as the sulphur species are involved in localised corrosion phenomena. The international workshop on Sulphur-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Waste Disposal Systems (SACNUC2008) aimed to provide an exchange of information on the influence of sulphur species on the corrosion of metallic barriers. This workshop was a co-organisation of the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK*CEN, and the Belgian Agency for the Management of Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials, ONDRAF/NIRAS, under the auspices of the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC event N 311). The proceedings are divided into five chapters: Chapter 1 provides a general overview of the disposal concepts of nuclear waste and the role of corrosion. Chapter 2 explains the mechanism of sulphur-induced corrosion processes. This chapter also contains information from outside the nuclear disposal field in which sulphur is known to act as a detrimental factor (e.g. oil and gas industry). Chapter 3 addresses the role of microbial processes in sulphur-assisted corrosion. Chapter 4 covers the modelling of sulphide-assisted corrosion. Chapter 5 is devoted to a panel discussion aiming to identify open issues in the investigation of sulphur-assisted corrosion phenomena and how to incorporate these in robust lifetime prediction of metallic barriers.

Nuclear Corrosion

Nuclear Corrosion
Author: Stefan Ritter
Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
Total Pages: 497
Release: 2020-08-14
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0128237201

Nuclear Corrosion: Research, Progress and Challenges, part of the “Green Book series of the EFC, builds upon the foundations of the very first book published in this series in 1989 (“Number 1 - Corrosion in the Nuclear Industry ). This newest volume provides an overview on state-of-the-art research in some of the most important areas of nuclear corrosion. Chapters covered include aging phenomena in light water reactors, reprocessing plants, nuclear waste disposal, and supercritical water and liquid metal systems. This book will be a vital resource for both researchers and engineers working within the nuclear field in both academic and industrial environments. Discusses industry related aspects of materials in nuclear power generation and how these materials react with the environment Provides comprehensive coverage of the topic as written by noted experts in the field Includes coverage of nuclear waste corrosion