img

Wechat

Adv. Search

Gold Science and Technology ›› 2023, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (4): 592-604.doi: 10.11872/j.issn.1005-2518.2023.04.010

• Mining Technology and Mine Management • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preliminary Study on Static and Dynamic Stability of Canister for High-level Radioactive Nuclear Waste Disposal Based on Discrete Element Method

Yanan ZHAO1(),Yihang ZHAO1,Zhongming JIANG2(),Hongmin ZHAO1   

  1. 1.Zhongnan Engineering Co. , Ltd. , Power China, Changsha 410019, Hunan, China
    2.School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, Hunan, China
  • Received:2022-12-17 Revised:2023-04-06 Online:2023-08-30 Published:2023-09-20
  • Contact: Zhongming JIANG E-mail:izolt@163.com;zzmmjiang@163.com

Abstract:

Canister for high-level radioactive waste is a core part in nuclear waste disposal barrier,and its static and dynamic stability during transportation,installation,and deep buried operation is of great importance.A silicon carbide(SiC) material based canister was proposed in this paper.The material has remarkable chemical stability,but its brittleness may be the key to restrict it application.In oder to investigate the static and dynamic stability of this canister,series of numerical simulations were performed using discrete element method,considering the physical nature of rock blocks and characteristics of interactions between rock and canister.The tensile strength characteristics of SiC was first investigated via specially designed lab and numerical tests.Comparison with analytical results has proved the reliability of adopted numerical method.The influence of disposal depth and horizontal to vertical stress ratio was then investigated.The dynamic loading behaviour pattern and basic failure mode of canister under free fall and rock impact were investigated,and the influence of rock fragmentation was mainly considered.The results show that the silicon carbide material is relatively brittle,with tested tensile strength between 150 MPa and 200 MPa,compared to its very high compressive strength.The tensile strength of silicon carbide was chosen 150 MPa for safety reason in later analysis.However,this value of 150 MPa is higher than the tensile or even compressive strength of ordinary rocks.The canister can survive under 1 200 m depth,horizontal to vertical stress ratio of 3 with several disposal inclination angles.Under free fall,the maximum tensile stress in canister is determined by falling height and inclination angle.Upon rock fall without rock splitting,the maximum tensile stress in canister is determined by rock weight and contact type between rock and canister.Inclusion of rock splitting in model calculation can produce stress much lower than by traditional continuum method.The tip of the rock will crack first once the rock is hitting the canister,leaving the canister safe in the first place,which is different from that in continuum analysis.This implies the energy dissipation between rock blocks due to fracturing of rock during rock impact is not negligible.As the cohesion and residual friction angle between rock blocks increase,the stress induced in canister also increases,while the tension makes limited contribution to elevated stress.Another interesting finding is that as the rock block volume ratio gets smaller,the stress induced by impacting rock decreases first but then keeps to a constant value once certain threshold is reached.This suggests by reaching certain rock block volume ratio may be enough to reproduce dynamic impact-induced cracking,instead of decreasing rock block size constantly.Although local failure is expected under dynamic impact,a soft buffer layer with certain thickness outside the canister can guarantee static and dynamic stability of SiC canister together with appropriate emplacement.

Key words: rock mechanics, nuclear waste disposal, discrete element method(DEM), geological disposal, numerical simulation, canister-rock interaction

CLC Number: 

  • TU9

Table 1

Chemical properties of SiC(Lay,1983)"

化学条件化学性质
惰性气体,还原氛围2 320 °C以下稳定
氧化氛围1 000 °C 以上形成二氧化硅层,1 650 °C以下稳定
氢气1 430 °C以下稳定,1 430 °C 以上重侵蚀
水蒸气1 150 °C以下稳定,1 150 °C 以上少量反应
盐酸、硫酸、氢氟酸煮沸不受侵蚀
浓磷酸230 °C以上出现侵蚀
熔融氢氧化钠和氢氧化钾500 °C以上重侵蚀
熔融碳酸钠900 °C以上重侵蚀

Fig.1

Compression test of SiC hollow cylinder"

Table 2

Model parameters of SiC"

参数数值参数数值
内摩擦角φ/(°)40剪胀角f/ (°)0
抗拉强度Ts/MPa150~200弹性模量E/GPa415
密度ρ/(kg·cm-33.1泊松比μ0.15
黏聚力C/GPa4

Fig.2

Analytical and numerical solutions for failure load(R=2.5 cm,Ts=150 MPa)"

Fig.3

Sketch of cross section for canister"

Table 3

Geometry parameters of canister(mm)"

储罐类型L1L2L3L4L5L6
高温气冷式反应堆/H储罐62305923351515
重水铀反应堆/C储罐1025101425502020
固化核废料/V储罐4501 3505001 4002525

Table 4

Basic parameters of materials calculation by numerical simulations"

材料密度/ (kg·m-3弹性模量E/GPa泊松比μ
碳化硅3 1004150.150
缓冲层9000.0080.333
防护层2 0001.3500.270
基座2 500700.210
岩石2 500470.300

Table 5

Contact parameters between rock blocks calculation by numerical simulations"

岩石

法向接触刚度

/(TPa·m-1

切向接触刚度 /(TPa·m-1接触间黏 聚力/MPa接触抗拉 强度/MPa接触内摩 擦角/(°)残余接触黏 聚力/MPa残余接触抗拉 强度/MPa残余接触内摩 擦角/(°)
R175.0025.00401000027
R243.204.3215400027

Table 6

Combination of different ground stress and ground stress ratios"

荷载X/MPaY/MPaZ/MPaX/Z
11010101
22010102
33010103
42020102
53020103
63030103

Fig.4

Maximum tensile stress in canister under different inclination angle and ground stress conditions"

Fig.5

Stress distribution of canister"

Fig.6

Multi-barrier system and influence of buffer layer on the maximum tensile stress10 MPa);4-(20 MPa,20 MPa,10 MPa);5-(30 MPa,20 MPa,10 MPa);6-(30 MPa,30 MPa,10 MPa)"

Fig.7

Schematic diagram of free fall"

Fig.8

Maximum tensile stress inside canister under different falling height and inclination angle conditions"

Fig.9

Cross section of V canister"

Fig.10

Maximum tensile stress of canister under different impact conditions and rock mass weights"

Fig.11

Stress-strain curves of uniaxial compressive strength simulated by discrete element method and corresponding rock failure image"

Fig.12

Influence of contact parameters between rock blocks on uniaxial compressive strength"

Fig.13

Impact failure of rock"

Fig.14

Influence of contact parameters between rock blocks on the maximum tensile stress"

Fig.15

Relationship between volume ratio of rock block and the maximum tensile stress of impact"

Table 7

Deformation of buffer layer and the maximum tensile stress of canister"

岩石质量/kg不同厚度和弹性模量缓冲层条件下的变形量和最大拉应力
D=20 mm,E=800 MPaD=20 mm,E=80 MPaD=80 mm,E=100 MPa
84.85 mm/129.3 MPa11.67 mm/70.7 MPa-
40--17.15 mm/70.6 MPa
Björkbacka Å, Hosseinpour S, Johnson M,et al,2013.Radiation induced corrosion of copper for spent nuclear fuel storage[J].Radiation Physics and Chemistry,92:80-86.
Börgesson L, Chijimatsu M, Fujita T,et al,2001.Thermo-hydro-mechanical characterisation of a bentonite-based buffer material by laboratory tests and numerical back analyses[J].International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,38(1):95-104.
Ghazvinian E, Diederichs M S, Quey R,2014.3D random Voronoi grain-based models for simulation of brittle rock damage and fabric-guided micro-fracturing[J].Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,6:506-521.
Haslam J J, Farmer J C, Hopper R W,et al,2005.Ceramic coatings for a corrosion-resistant nuclear waste container evaluated in simulated ground water at 90 ℃[J].Metallurgical and Materials Transactions,A(36): 1085-1095.
Hennig T, Stockmann M, Kühn M,2020.Simulation of diffusive uranium transport and sorption processes in the opalinus clay[J].Applied Geochemistry,123:104777.
Hou Huiming, Hu Dawei, Zhou Hui,et al,2019.Thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling simulation method of surrounding rock in high-level radioactive waste repository considering effective meso-thermal parameters[J].Rock and Soil Mechanics,40(9):3625-3634.
Itasca Consulting Group,2016.3DEC Manuals[M].Minneapolis:Itasca Consulting Group.
Jiao Y Y, Fan S C, Zhao J,2005.Numerical investigation of joint effect on shock wave propagation in jointed rock masses[J].Journal of Testing and Evaluation,33(3):1-7.
Lay L A,1983.Corrosion Resistance of Technical Ceramics[M].Teddington:Middlesex Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
Lee M S, Lee J Y, Choi H J,et al,2018.Evaluation of silicon carbide (SiC) for deep borehole disposal canister [J].Journal of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology,16(2):233-242.
Lee M Y, Brannon R M, Bronowski D R,2004.Uniaxial and triaxial compression tests of silicon carbide ceramics under quasi-static loading condition[R].Albuquerque:Sandia National Laboratory.
McEachern D W, Wu W, Venneri F,2012.Performance of PyC,SiC and ZrC coatings in the geologic repository [J].Nuclear Engineering and Design,251:102-110.
Metz V, Geckeis H, González-Robles E,et al,2012.Radionuclide behaviour in the near-field of a geological repository for spent nuclear fuel[J].Radiochimica Acta,100:699-713.
Nasir O, Nguyen T S, Barnichon J D,et al,2017.Simulation of the hydromechanical behaviour of bentonite seals for the containment of radioactive wastes[J].Canadian Geotechnical Journal,54(8):1055-1070.
Onofrei M, Raine D K, Brown L,et al,1984.Leaching studies of nonmetallic materials for nuclear fuel immobilization containers[C]//Proceedings of Materials Research Society Sy-mposium.Boston:Materials Research Society.
Sellin P, Leupin O X,2013.The use of clay as an engineered barrier in radioactive-waste management—A review[J].Clays and Clay Minerals,61:477-498.
Soroka I, Chae N, Jonsson M,2021.On the mechanism of γ-radiation-induced corrosion of copper in water[J].Corrosion Science,182:109279.
Wang J,2010.High-level radioactive waste disposal in China: Update 2010[J].Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,2:1-11.
Wang Jianguo, Liang Shufeng, Gao Quanchen,et al,2018.Experimental study of jointed angles impact on energy transfer characteristics of simulated rock material[J].Journal of Central South University(Science and Technology),49(5):1237-1243.
Xu Tao,2019.THM Coupling Process in Unsaturated Bentonite Buffer Material with Construction Joints and Self-Healing Effects[D].Beijing:Beijing Jiaotong University.
Xu Xun,2021.Hydro-Thermal Evolution Law of Double-Layer Buffer in High-Level Radioactive Waste Repository[D].Yichang:China Three Gorges University.
Zhao Yiwei, Wu Zhijun, Wang Xuhong,et al,2021.Numerical analysis of multi-field coupling of barrier system in deep geological repository for high-level radioactive waste[J].Journal of Central South University(Science and Technology),52(8):2557-2571.
侯会明,胡大伟,周辉,等,2019.考虑细观等效热学参数的高放废物处置库围岩应力—渗流—温度耦合模拟方法[J].岩土力学,40(9):3625-3634.
王建国,梁书锋,高全臣,等,2018.节理倾角对类岩石冲击能量传递影响的试验研究[J].中南大学学报(自然科学版),49(5):1237-1243.
许韬,2019.含施工接缝的非饱和膨润土缓冲材料热—水—力耦合过程及愈合效应[D].北京:北京交通大学.
许迅,2021.高放废物处置库双层缓冲层水—热演化规律[D].宜昌:三峡大学.
赵艺伟,吴志军,王旭宏,等,2021.高放废物深地质处置库屏障系统的多场耦合数值分析[J].中南大学学报(自然科学版),52(8):2557-2571.
[1] Xiangrui HE, Xianyang QIU, Xiuzhi SHI, Xiaoyuan LI, Wei ZHI, Jun LIU, Yuanlai WANG. Study on the Movement Law of Overlying Strata in Underground Mining with Nonlinear Elastic Foundation Beam [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2024, 32(4): 640-653.
[2] Yunlin YU, Kepeng HOU, Bajiu YANG, Yong CHENG, Taihong LU, Nannan ZHANG. Study on Pillar Mining Scheme of Gaofengshan Ore Section in Yunxi [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2024, 32(3): 445-457.
[3] Bo LI, Chen WEN, Xiuzhi SHI. Optimization of Stope Sidewall Controlled Blasting Parameters for High-Stress Fan-Shaped Medium-Depth Hole [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2024, 32(3): 511-522.
[4] Kuan LIU, Guanwang MO, Xiang LI, Pinghuan SHEN, Bo WAN, Jiankun LIU. Optimization of the Construction Parameters of Super-large Section Flat Structure Tunnel [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2024, 32(2): 330-344.
[5] Kaibin WANG, Qin LIU, Hongtao WANG. Study on the Load Transfer Characteristics and Influence Factors of Anchora-ge Segment of Pressure-type Anchor Cable [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2024, 32(1): 123-131.
[6] Zefeng XU, Xiuzhi SHI, Rendong HUANG, Wenzhi DING, Xin CHEN. Study on Filling Pipeline Optimization Based on Full Pipe Transportation [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2024, 32(1): 160-169.
[7] Jielin LI, Yiliang LIU, Yupu WANG, Zaili LI, Keping ZHOU, Chunlong CHENG. Influence of Forced-Exhaust Mixed Ventilation Parameters on the Cooling Effect of Artificial Cooling in High-temperature Blind Roadway [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2024, 32(1): 63-74.
[8] Honglu FEI, Hainan JI, Jie SHAN. Optimization and Comparative Experimental Study of Charge Structure of Water Medium Interval on Open-air Step [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2023, 31(6): 930-943.
[9] Wenfa SHAN, Xiancheng MAO, Zhankun LIU, Hao DENG, Jin CHEN, Wei ZHANG, Haizheng WANG, Xin YANG. Numerical Simulation of Metallogenic Processes of Dayingezhuang Gold Deposit in Jiaodong Peninsula and Its Prospecting Significance [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2023, 31(5): 707-720.
[10] Yu ZHANG, Wenji WANG, Jiaqi SUN, Yonggang XIAO. Fracture Performances of Bedding Structure Slate Under Dynamic Loading [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2023, 31(5): 803-810.
[11] Heng MA,Jiayi GAO,Shihu LI,Ke GAO. Influence of Jet Angle of Twin Parallel Air Curtains on the Tunnel Airflow [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2022, 30(5): 743-752.
[12] Duiming GUO,Guoqing LI,Jie HOU,Nailian HU. Optimization of Local Ventilation Parameters of Deep Mine Excavation Roadway Based on FLUENT [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2022, 30(5): 753-763.
[13] Zhanxing ZHOU,Kewei LIU,Xudong LI,Xiaohui HUANG,Sizhou MA. Numerical Simulation of Dynamic Response of Tunnel Lining Under Oil Tank Explosion [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2022, 30(4): 612-622.
[14] Lingzhi ZHONG,Xiancheng MAO,Zhankun LIU,Keyan XIAO,Chuntan WANG,Wu CHEN. Ore-controlling Effect of Structural Geometry Features in the Sanshandao Gold Belt,Jiaodong Peninsula,China: Insights from Numerical Simulation [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2022, 30(3): 352-365.
[15] Weihua WANG,Yang LIU,Liwei ZHANG,Henggen ZHANG. Numerical Simulation of Homogeneous Rock Mass Damage Caused by Two-hole Simultaneous Blasting Based on RHT Model [J]. Gold Science and Technology, 2022, 30(3): 414-426.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!