The role of bentonite in the repository concepts for radioactive waste in Germany: a review

Abstract

Irrespective of the host rock and the repository concept, bentonite plays a central role in the geological disposal of radioactive waste by serving as the main sealing element in most repository concepts. Due to its favourable chemical, hydraulic and mechanical properties, bentonite is of paramount importance in the overall safety of a repository for radioactive waste. This work gives an overview of the use of bentonite in the German repository concepts in different host rocks. Starting with the current repository safety regulations in force in Germany, the principles for the design of the engineered barrier system are described. Among them, the principle of diverse redundancy has been established as the main design principle to fulfil the requirements of the Repository Safety Ordinance. This principle allows the arrangement of different geomaterials in the design of the geotechnical barriers where bentonite plays a key role. Bentonite is used in the German repository concepts in different host rocks as either buffer, backfill and/or sealing material. In clay and in crystalline rock, highly compacted bentonite blocks are considered for the sealing of disposal boreholes and for the construction of drift seals. Processed excavated material is mixed with bentonite to backfill the remaining voids inside the repository. For the closure of shafts, bentonite as binary mixture of briquettes and powder or as equipotential sand-bentonite-segments are considered. The present work also brings to light how bentonite is used in German repository concepts. We also discuss the differences between German and international geological disposal programmes in regards to the applications of bentonite. The innovative aspect of the German approach is demonstrated through the adoption of a dual bentonite/asphalt sealing system and the implementation of equipotential segments comprising layers of sand and bentonite. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Sustainable geological disposal and containment of radioactive waste collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/radioactive