Abstract
A pelletized solution composed of COx argillite and MX80 bentonite is examined as backfill for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste (Cigéo project). The implementation is studied in terms of installation and hydration conditions as well as their influence on the hydromechanical behavior of the mixture. In the beginning, the optimum grain size distribution (GSD) of pellets assembly is determined to minimize initial voids. A series of discrete element method (DEM) simulations on ternary samples made of spheres is carried out, investigating the optimal conditions in terms of sizes and proportions. Density maximization occurs when the maximum diameter is the dominant size, while minimum and medium diameters are following. As optimum GSD, sizes of 16 mm, 10 mm, and 4 mm in 60%, 10%, and 30% respectively are chosen. The pelletization of the selected sizes is optimized using an adapted tablet machine to carry out the pellet fabrication. A detailed analysis of influential parameters related to the machine accessories and the inserted raw materials is presented. After modifications, quasi-spherical pellets presenting a density of at least 1.95 Mg/m3 are produced. COx/MX80 pellets hydromechanical response is indirectly assessed by studying the swelling potential of COx/MX80 powdered mixtures at equivalent emplaced densities. The influence of density, stress, and MX80 content on swelling is obtained.
Issue Section:
RAW Management and Decommissioning
References
1.
Andra,
2005
, “
Dossier 2005 Argile - Tome Architecture and Management of a Geological Repository
,” Andra, Malabry, France, Report No C.RP.ADP.04.0001.2.
Armand
,
G.
,
Bumbieler
,
F.
,
Conil
,
N.
,
de la Vaissière
,
R.
,
Bosgiraud
,
J.-M.
, and
Vu
,
M.-N.
, 2017
, “
Main Outcomes From In Situ Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Experiments Programme to Demonstrate Feasibility of Radioactive High-Level Waste Disposal in the Callovo-Oxfordian Claystone
,” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng.
,
9
(3
), pp. 415
–427
.10.1016/j.jrmge.2017.03.0043.
Sellin
,
P.
, and
Leupin
,
O. X.
, 2013
, “
The Use of Clay as an Engineered Barrier in Radioactive-Waste Management a Review
,” Clays Clay Miner.
,
61
(6
), pp. 477
–498
.10.1346/CCMN.2013.06106014.
Diomidis
,
N.
,
Cloet
,
V.
,
Leupin
,
O. X.
,
Marschall
,
P.
,
Poller
,
A.
, and
Stein
,
M.
, 2016
, Production, Consumption and Transport of Gases in Deep Geological Repositories According to the Swiss Disposal Concept
, NTB-16-03,
National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (NAGRA)
.5.
Armand
,
G.
,
Noiret
,
A.
,
Zghondi
,
J.
, and
Seyedi
,
D. M.
, 2013
, “
Short- and Long-Term Behaviors of Drifts in the Callovo-Oxfordian Claystone at the Meuse/Haute-Marne Underground Research Laboratory
,” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng
,
5
(3
), pp. 221
–230
.10.1016/j.jrmge.2013.05.0056.
Andra,
2019
, Synthesis of 20 Years Research, Development and Demonstration in Andra's Underground Research Laboratory in Bure for Cigéo Project - France.
7.
Imbert
,
C.
, and
Villar
,
M. V.
, 2006
, “
Hydro-Mechanical Response of a Bentonite Pellets/Powder Mixture Upon Infiltration
,” Appl. Clay Sci.
,
32
(3–4
), pp. 197
–209
.10.1016/j.clay.2006.01.0058.
Komine
,
H.
, and
Ogata
,
N.
, 2003
, “
New Equations for Swelling Characteristics of Bentonite-Based Buffer Materials
,” Can. Geotech. J.
,
40
(2
), pp. 460
–475
.10.1139/t02-1159.
Lloret
,
A.
,
Villar
,
M. V.
,
Sánchez
,
M.
,
Gens
,
A.
,
Pintado
,
X.
, and
Alonso
,
E. E.
, 2003
, “
Mechanical Behaviour of Heavily Compacted Bentonite Under High Suction Changes
,” Géotechnique
,
53
(1
), pp. 27
–40
.10.1680/geot.2003.53.1.2710.
Komine
,
H.
, 2004
, “
Simplified Evaluation on Hydraulic Conductivities of Sand–Bentonite Mixture Backfill
,” Appl. Clay Sci
,
26
(1–4
), pp. 13
–19
.10.1016/j.clay.2003.09.00611.
Villar
,
M. V.
, and
Lloret
,
A.
, 2008
, “
Influence of Dry Density and Water Content on the Swelling of a Compacted Bentonite
,” Appl. Clay Sci.
,
39
(1–2
), pp. 38
–49
.10.1016/j.clay.2007.04.00712.
Zeng
,
Z.
,
Cui
,
Y.-J.
,
Zhang
,
F.
,
Conil
,
N.
, and
Talandier
,
J.
, 2019
, “
Investigation of Swelling Pressure of Bentonite/Claystone Mixture in the Full Range of Bentonite Fraction
,” Appl. Clay Sci
,
178
, p. 105137
.10.1016/j.clay.2019.10513713.
Middelhoff
,
M.
,
Cuisinier
,
O.
,
Masrouri
,
F.
,
Talandier
,
J.
, and
Conil
,
N.
, 2020
, “
Combined Impact of Selected Material Properties and Environmental Conditions on the Swelling Pressure of Compacted Claystone/Bentonite Mixtures
,” Appl. Clay Sci.
,
184
, p. 105389
.10.1016/j.clay.2019.10538914.
Pasquiou
,
A.
, 2001
, “
Pellets D'argiles Gonflantes. Elaboration et Caractérisation Hydromécanique
,” Ph.D. Thesis,
Univerité des Sciences et Technologie de Lille
, Lille, France.15.
Pusch
,
R.
,
Bluemling
,
P.
, and
Johnson
,
L.
, 2003
, “
Performance of Strongly Compressed MX-80 Pellets Under Repository-Like Conditions
,” Appl. Clay Sci.
,
23
(1–4
), pp. 239
–244
.10.1016/S0169-1317(03)00108-X16.
Hoffmann
,
C.
,
Alonso
,
E. E.
, and
Romero
,
E.
, 2007
, “
Hydro-Mechanical Behaviour of Bentonite Pellet Mixtures
,” Phys. Chem. Earth Parts ABC
,
32
(8–14
), pp. 832
–849
.10.1016/j.pce.2006.04.03717.
Lyu
,
Q.
,
Ranjith
,
P. G.
,
Long
,
X.
,
Kang
,
Y.
, and
Huang
,
M.
, 2015
, “
A Review of Shale Swelling by Water Adsorption
,” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng.
,
27
, pp. 1421
–1431
.10.1016/j.jngse.2015.10.00418.
Lloret
,
A.
, and
Villar
,
M. V.
, 2007
, “
Advances on the Knowledge of the Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Behaviour of Heavily Compacted ‘FEBEX’ Bentonite
,” Phys. Chem. Earth Parts ABC
,
32
(8–14
), pp. 701
–715
.10.1016/j.pce.2006.03.00219.
Stastka
,
J.
,
Svoboda
,
J.
, and
Vasicek
,
R.
, 2019
, “
Bentonite Pellets in the Construction of a Deep Geological Repository
,” Conference of Underground Construction, Prague, Czech Republic.20.
Van Geet
,
M.
,
Volckaert
,
G.
, and
Roels
,
S.
, 2005
, “
The Use of Microfocus X-Ray Computed Tomography in Characterising the Hydration of a Clay Pellet/Powder Mixture
,” Appl. Clay Sci.
,
29
(2
), pp. 73
–87
.10.1016/j.clay.2004.12.00721.
Molinero Guerra
,
A.
,
Aimedieu
,
P.
,
Bornert
,
M.
,
Cui
,
Y.-J.
,
Tang
,
A. M.
,
Sun
,
Z.
,
Mokni
,
N.
,
Delage
,
P.
, and
Bernier
,
F.
, 2018
, “
Analysis of the Structural Changes of a Pellet/Powder Bentonite Mixture Upon Wetting by X-Ray Computed Microtomography
,” Appl. Clay Sci.
,
165
, pp. 164
–169
.10.1016/j.clay.2018.07.04322.
Saba
,
S.
,
Barnichon
,
J.-D.
,
Cui
,
Y.-J.
,
Tang
,
A. M.
, and
Delage
,
P.
, 2014
, “
Microstructure and Anisotropic Swelling Behaviour of Compacted Bentonite/Sand Mixture
,” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng.
,
6
(2
), pp. 126
–132
.10.1016/j.jrmge.2014.01.00623.
Karnland
,
O.
,
Nilsson
,
U.
,
Weber
,
H.
, and
Wersin
,
P.
, 2008
, “
Sealing Ability of Wyoming Bentonite Pellets Foreseen as Buffer Material – Laboratory Results
,” Phys. Chem. Earth Parts ABC
,
33
, pp. S472
–S475
.10.1016/j.pce.2008.10.02424.
Molinero Guerra
,
A.
,
Mokni
,
N.
,
Delage
,
P.
,
Cui
,
Y.-J.
,
Tang
,
A. M.
,
Aimedieu
,
P.
,
Bernier
,
F.
, and
Bornert
,
M.
, 2017
, “
In-Depth Characterisation of a Mixture Composed of Powder/Pellets MX80 Bentonite
,” Appl. Clay Sci.
,
135
, pp. 538
–546
.10.1016/j.clay.2016.10.03025.
Jean
,
M.
, and
Moreau
,
J. J.
, 1992
, “
Unilaterality and Dry Friction in the Dynamics of Rigid Body Collections
,” 1st Contact Mechanics International Symposium
, Lausanne, Switzerland, pp. 31
–48
.26.
Jean
,
M.
, 1999
, “
The Non-Smooth Contact Dynamics Method
,” Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng.
,
177
(3–4
), pp. 235
–257
.10.1016/S0045-7825(98)00383-127.
Standish
,
N.
, and
Borger
,
D. E.
, 1979
, “
The Porosity of Particulate Mixtures
,” Powder Technol.
,
22
(1
), pp. 121
–125
.10.1016/0032-5910(79)85014-728.
Liu
,
Z.-R.
,
Ye
,
W.-M.
,
Zhang
,
Z.
,
Wang
,
Q.
,
Chen
,
Y.-G.
, and
Cui
,
Y.-J.
, 2019
, “
Particle Size Ratio and Distribution Effects on Packing Behaviour of Crushed GMZ Bentonite Pellets
,” Powder Technol.
,
351
, pp. 92
–101
.10.1016/j.powtec.2019.03.03829.
Yu
,
A. B.
, and
Standish
,
N.
, 1987
, “
Porosity Calculations of Multi-Component Mixtures of Spherical Particles
,” Powder Technol.
,
52
(3
), pp. 233
–241
.10.1016/0032-5910(87)80110-930.
Zhang
,
Z. P.
,
Liu
,
L. F.
,
Yuan
,
Y. D.
, and
Yu
,
A. B.
, 2001
, “
A Simulation Study of the Effects of Dynamic Variables on the Packing of Spheres
,” Powder Technol.
,
116
(1
), pp. 23
–32
.10.1016/S0032-5910(00)00356-931.
Noiret
,
A.
,
Bethmont
,
S.
,
Bosgiraud
,
J.-M.
, and
Foin
,
R.
, 2016
, DOPAS Work Package 4, Deliverable 4.8 “
FSS Experiment Summary Report
,” Andra.32.
Hirjau
,
M.
,
Nicoara
,
A. C.
,
Hirjau
,
V.
, and
Lupuleasa
,
D.
, 2011
, “
Pelletization Techniques Used in Pharmaceutical Fields
,” Pract. Farm.
,
4
(3
), pp. 206
–211
.https://farma.com.ro/articles/2011.3-4/PF_Nr-3-4_2011_Art-17.pdf33.
Lavanya
,
K.
,
Senthil
,
V.
, and
Rathi
,
V.
, 2011
, “
Pelletization Technology: A Quick Review
,” Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res.
,
2
(6
), p. 1337
.http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.2(6).1337-5534.
Muley
,
S.
,
Nandgude
,
T.
, and
Poddar
,
S.
, 2016
, “
Extrusion–Spheronization a Promising Pelletization Technique: In-Depth Review
,” Asian J. Pharm. Sci.
,
11
(6
), pp. 684
–699
.10.1016/j.ajps.2016.08.00135.
Johnsson
,
A.
, and
Sandén
,
T.
, 2013
, System Design of Backfill – Pellet Optimization
,
Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB SKB
Report No. R-13-47.36.
Marjavaara
,
P.
,
Holt
,
E.
, and
Sjoeblom
,
V.
, 2013
, Customized Bentonite Pellets. Manufacturing, Performance and Gap Filling Properties
,
Posiva Oy
POSIVA-WR-12-62.37.
Darde
,
B.
,
Roux
,
J.-N.
,
Dangla
,
P.
,
Pereira
,
J.-M.
,
Tang
,
A. M.
,
Talandier
,
J.
, and
Vu
,
M. N.
, 2020
, “
Modelling the Hydromechanical Behaviour of a Granular Expansive Clayey Soil Upon Hydration Using Discrete Element Method
,” CIGOS 2019, Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure
,
C.
Ha-Minh
,
D. V.
Dao
,
F.
Benboudjema
,
S.
Derrible
,
D. V. K.
Huynh
, and
A. M.
Tang
, eds.,
Springer
,
Singapore
, pp. 871
–876
.38.
Hoffmann
,
C.
,
Romero
,
E.
, and
Alonso
,
E. E.
, 2005
, “
Combining Different Controlled-Suction Techniques to Study Expansive Clays
,” Proceedings of the International Symposium on Advanced Experimental Unsaturated Soil Mechanics
,
Balkema, Trento, Italy
, pp. 61
–67
.39.
Zhang
,
Z.
,
Ye
,
W.-M.
,
Liu
,
Z.-R.
,
Chen
,
B.
, and
Cui
,
Y.-J.
, 2018
, “
Influences of PSD Curve and Vibration on the Packing Dry Density of Crushed Bentonite Pellet Mixtures
,” Constr. Build. Mater.
,
185
, pp. 246
–255
.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.09640.
Zou
,
R. P.
, and
Yu
,
A. B.
, 1996
, “
Evaluation of the Packing Characteristics of Mono-Sized Non-Spherical Particles
,” Powder Technol.
,
88
(1
), pp. 71
–79
.10.1016/0032-5910(96)03106-341.
Drnevich
,
V. P.
,
Sridharan
,
A.
,
Rao
,
A. S.
, and
Sivapullaiah
,
P. V.
, 1986
, “
Swelling Pressure of Clays
,” Geotech. Test. J.
,
9
(1
), pp. 24
–33
.10.1520/GTJ10608J42.
Feng
,
M.
,
Gan
,
J. K. M.
, and
Fredlund
,
D. G.
, 1998
, “
A Laboratory Study of Swelling Pressure Using Various Test Methods
,” Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Unsaturated Soils (UNSAT-98
),
Beijing
, China, Aug. 27–30, pp. 350
–355
. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348336824_A_LABORATORY_STUDY_OF_SWELLING_PRESSURE_USING_VARIOUS_TEST_METHODS43.
Komine
,
H.
, and
Ogata
,
N.
, 1999
, “
Experimental Study on Swelling Characteristics of Sand-Bentonite Mixture for Nuclear Waste Disposal
,” Soils Found.
,
39
(2
), pp. 83
–97
.10.3208/sandf.39.2_8344.
Komine
,
H.
, and
Ogata
,
N.
, 1994
, “
Experimental Study on Swelling Characteristics of Compacted Bentonite
,” Can. Geotech. J.
,
31
(4
), pp. 478
–490
.10.1139/t94-05745.
Castellanos
,
E.
,
Villar
,
M. V.
,
Romero
,
E.
,
Lloret
,
A.
, and
Gens
,
A.
, 2008
, “
Chemical Impact on the Hydro-Mechanical Behaviour of High-Density FEBEX Bentonite
,” Phys. Chem. Earth Parts ABC
,
33
, pp. S516
–S526
.10.1016/j.pce.2008.10.056Copyright © 2021 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.
