Explore the vast range of titles available.

Drawing on the authors' extensive experience in the processing and disposal of waste, An Introduction to Nuclear Waste Immobilisation, Second Edition examines the gamut of nuclear waste issues from the natural level of radionuclides in the environment to geological disposal of waste-forms and their long-term behavior.

The Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE mbH) is tasked with the selection of a site for a high-level radioactive waste repository in Germany in accordance with the Repository Site Selection Act. In September 2020, 90 areas with favorable geological conditions were identified as part of step 1 in phase 1 of the Site Selection Act. Representative preliminary safety analyses are to be carried out next  to support decisions on the question, which siting regions should undergo surface-based exploration. These safety analyses are supported by numerical simulations building on geoscientific and technical data. The models that are taken into account are associated with various sources of uncertainties. Addressing these uncertainties and the robustness of the decisions pertaining to sites and design choices is a central component of the site selection process. In that context, important research objectives are associated with the question of how uncertainty should be treated through the various data collection, modeling and decision-making processes of the site selection procedure, and how the robustness of the repository system should be improved. BGE, therefore, established an interdisciplinary research cluster to identify open questions and to address the gaps in knowledge in six complementary research projects. In this paper, we introduce the overall purpose and the five thematic groups that constitute this research cluster. We discuss the specific questions addressed as well as the proposed methodologies in the context of the challenges of the site selection process in Germany. Finally, some conclusions are drawn on the potential benefits of a large method-centered research cluster in terms of simulation data management.

Knowledge of the behavior of highly compacted expansive clays, as an engineered barrier, in disposal of high-level nuclear waste (HLW) systems to prevent the pollution due to migration of radionuclide is extremely essential. The prominent properties of globally and widely used bentonites have been extensively studied during past two decades. In China, GaoMiaoZi (GMZ) bentonite is the first choice as a buffer or backfill material for deep geological repositories. This review article presents the recent progresses of knowledge on water retention properties, hydromechanical behavior, and fractal characteristics of GMZ bentonite-based materials, by reviewing 217 internationally published research articles. Firstly, the current literature regarding hydrogeochemical and mechanical characteristics of GMZ bentonite influenced by various saline solutions are critically summarized and reviewed. Then, the role of osmotic suction π alongside the application of surface fractal dimension D s is presented from the standpoint of fractal theory. Finally, the strength characteristics of GMZ bentonites using fractal approach have been discussed. Furthermore, this study sheds light on gaps, opportunities, and further research for understanding and analyzing the long-term hydromechanical characteristics of the designed backfill material, from the standpoint of surface fractality of bentonites, and implications of sustainable buffer materials in the field of geoenvironmental engineering.

The U.S.Department of Energy (DOE) manages dozens of sites across the nation that focus on research, design, and production of nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors for defense applications.Radioactive wastes at these sites pose a national challenge, and DOE is considering how to most effectively clean them up.

The Gansu Beishan area is a preselected candidate site for a high-level radioactive waste repository in China. The development of surface rock mass discontinuities in this region is crucial for ensuring the long-term stability and safety of the project. The survey line method was employed to investigate these discontinuities. Fault geometry information was defined based on the characteristics of traffic routes and exploratory trench wall fault gouge. Optimal joint sets were identified using rose diagram equal-area upper hemisphere projection methods. Statistical analysis shows that the dominant joint orientations in each group follow a normal distribution. Using the circular sampling window theory, the mean trace length and trace midpoint density of joints for each outcrop were calculated. A Multiscale Discontinuity Comprehensive (MDC) index was proposed to evaluate the degree of surface rock mass discontinuity development based on discontinuity geometry parameters. The results of the surface rock mass discontinuity development were analyzed according to the tectonic stress and mechanical formation mechanisms of the discontinuities. These research findings provide critical data to support the ongoing development of high-level radioactive waste geological disposal.

Several anthropogenic activities produce radioactive materials into the environment. According to reports, exposure to high concentrations of radioactive elements such as potassium (40K), uranium (238U and 235U), and thorium (232Th) poses serious health concerns. The scarcity of reviews addressing the occurrence/sources, distribution, and remedial solutions of radioactive contamination in the ecosystems has fueled data collection for this bibliometric survey. In rivers and potable water, reports show that several parts of Europe and Asia have recorded radionuclide concentrations much higher than the permissible level of 1 Bq/L. According to various investigations, activity concentrations of gamma-emitting radioactive elements discovered in soils are higher than the global average crustal values, especially around mining activities. Adsorption technique is the most prevalent remedial method for decontaminating radiochemically polluted sites. However, there is a need to investigate integrated approaches/combination techniques. Although complete radionuclide decontamination utilizing the various technologies is feasible, future research should focus on cost-effectiveness, waste minimization, sustainability, and rapid radionuclide decontamination. Radioactive materials can be harnessed as fuel for nuclear power generation to meet worldwide energy demand. However, proper infrastructure must be put in place to prevent catastrophic disasters.

Geological disposal at deep burial depths is a widely accepted method for the treatment of high-level radioactive waste, in which an underground laboratory is regarded as an essential facility to connect various aspects of the process. To evaluate the excavation-induced stability of the rock mass surrounding the underground laboratory for deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in Beishan, Gansu Province, true three-dimensional geomechanical model tests are carried out for the first time. A model test loading system is developed with an intelligent numerical control function and automatic excavation apparatuses. The variations in the displacement and stress surrounding the caverns are revealed. The test results indicate that after excavation, (1) the surrounding rock deforms toward the cavern with small displacements less than 3 mm; (2) the radial stress is lower, and the tangential stress is higher; tensile stress is induced in certain parts near the intersection of caverns but at a magnitude lower than the tensile strength of the rock; (3) the excavation-induced perturbation reaches approximately 1.5–2.0 times the cave diameter; and (4) the surrounding rock shows stability after excavation due to the favorable geological conditions and the overall high strength of the surrounding rock. Nevertheless, enhanced support via combined bolting and shotcrete are recommended at the crossing sections. The research results verify the rationality of the design scheme and provide important guidance for the construction of underground laboratories for deep underground disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

Understanding thermo-mechanical properties of granites with different grain sizes is of great significance for the site selection of high-level radioactive waste disposal. In this paper, a cluster model was used to investigate the uniaxial compressive behaviors of granite specimens with different grain sizes. It turns out the results of simulation match experimental results. Grain size has a significant effect on the mechanical behaviors of granite. Macro-cracks can be easily observed in the coarse granite specimens after high-temperature treatment. However, the number of inter-cracks in the granite specimens decreased with increasing the grain sizes. When T ≥ 600 °C, main cracks were not observed in the compressed specimens, and the ultimate failure modes were mostly dominated by thermally induced cracks. The isolated grains can be observed in the coarse granite specimens. The reduction in the uniaxial compressive strength of the coarse-grained granite specimens was lower than that for the fine-grained granite specimens.

Today, the issue of waste management is as prominent as reactor safety in the controversies surrounding nuclear power and is particularly topical in the US since the 2010 closure of the Yucca Mountain repository project. William and Rosemarie Alley provide an engaging and authoritative account of the controversies and possibilities surrounding disposal of nuclear waste in the US, with reference also to other countries around the world. The book tells the full history from the beginnings after World War II up to today, bringing to life the pioneering science, the political wrangling and media drama, and the not-in-my-backyard communities fighting to put waste elsewhere. Written in down-to-earth language, by an expert with key involvement in the Yucca Mountain project, this is a timely book for public interest groups, affected communities, policymakers, environmentalists and research scientists working in related fields and anyone interested in finding out more about this important issue.