Low-pH cement mortar-bentonite perturbations in a small-scale pilot laboratory experiment

A novel method to perform small-scale laboratory experiments that reproduce concrete-bentonite and concrete-groundwater interactions has been developed. Such interfaces will prevail in engineered barrier systems used for isolation of nuclear waste. With the goal of optimizing the experimental method...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clay minerals 2018-06, Vol.53 (2), p.237-254
Main Authors: Gonzalez-Santamar, D. E, Angulo, M, Ruiz, A. I, Fernandez, R, Ortega, A, Cuevas, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alteration
Bentonite
Carbonation
Cement
chemical reactions
clastic rocks
Clay
Concrete
Decalcification
disposal barriers
Distilled water
Environmental geology
Experimental methods
experimental studies
Experiments
geochemistry
Groundwater
Interactions
Interfaces
Laboratories
laboratory studies
Methods
Mortars (material)
pH effects
radioactive waste
Radioactive wastes
rock, sediment, soil
sed rocks, sediments
Sedimentary petrology
sedimentary rocks
waste disposal
water-rock interaction
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Summary:A novel method to perform small-scale laboratory experiments that reproduce concrete-bentonite and concrete-groundwater interactions has been developed. Such interfaces will prevail in engineered barrier systems used for isolation of nuclear waste. With the goal of optimizing the experimental method, this work has analysed the geochemical interaction of distilled water, low-pH cement mortar and FEBEX-bentonite for 75 days. Limited but evident reactivity between the materials was observed, mainly decalcification in cement mortar, carbonation at the interface with bentonite and Mg enrichment in bentonite. These results are consistent with the state-of-the-art literature and were used to validate this small-scale pilot laboratory experiment to establish the basis for further studies comparing the behaviour of different buffer and cement materials.
ISSN:0009-8558
1471-8030
DOI:10.1180/clm.2018.16