Containment of High-Level Radioactive and Hazardous Solid Wastes with Clay Barriers

One of the principal objections to or problems with the use of nuclear fuel is that a proven method for safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel has yet to be established. The central focus of most schemes underway to dispose of these high-level radioactive wastes relies on clay-based buffers and barriers to isolate spent fuel canisters in boreholes deep underground in specially constructed tunnels and caverns.

Current thought on the principal methods of containment of high-level radioactive wastes is presented in this book. The authors proceed to discuss the processes and mechanisms involved in the development of long term properties and performance of clay-based buffers and backfills. The procedures and methodologies used to undertake predictions and performance assessments of these materials are also examined.

This is an invaluable reference for professionals, researchers, academics and regulators engaged in the development of radioactive waste sites.

IntroductionRadioactive and Hazardous Solid Waste IsolationNature of ClaysClay-water Reactions and Partly-saturated Water TransportContaminant-clay Interactions and ImpactsThermal, Hydraulic, Mechanical, Chemical and Biological ProcessesClay Evolution and Long Term Buffer/Barrier PerformanceField and Mockup ExperimentsModelling for Prediction and Performance AssessmentSafety Assessment and Performance Determination

Raymond N. Yong is Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics at McGill University and former Director of the Geotechnical Research Centre of McGill University, Canada. Roland Pusch is Managing Director of Geodevelopment AB and former Professor at the Technical University of Luleå and University of Lund, Sweden. Masashi Nakano is Emeritus Professor of Soil Physics and Soil Hydrology at the University of Tokyo and Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Engineering, Japan.