Measurement of Solute Diffusion Behavior in Fractured Waste Glass Media
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 10
Abstract
Determination of aqueous diffusion coefficients of solutes through fractured media is essential for understanding and modeling contaminant transport at many hazardous waste disposal sites. Development of experimental methods and measurements for the characterization of diffusion in fractured glass media is necessary for the design and performance assessment of glassified radionuclear waste disposal facilities. We report on the use of time-lag diffusion experimental method to assess the diffusion behavior of three different solutes (Cs, Sr, and pentafluoro benzoic acid) in fractured, immobilized low activity waste (ILAW) glass forms. A fractured media time-lag diffusion experimental apparatus, which allows the measurement of diffusion coefficients, has been designed and built for this purpose. Use of time-lag diffusion method, a considerably easier experimental method than the other available methods, was not previously demonstrated for measuring diffusion in fractured waste glass media. Hydraulic conductivity, porosity, and diffusion coefficients of a solute were experimentally measured in fractured glass blocks using this method for the first time. Results agree with the range of properties reported for similar rock media earlier, indicating that the time-lag experimental method can effectively characterize the diffusion coefficients of fractured ILAW glass media. Data presented are rare and useful for the design of vitrified glass disposal facilities.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Altman, S. J., Uchidab, M., Tidwell, T. C., Boneya, C. M., and Chambers, B. P. (2004). “Use of x-ray absorption imaging to examine heterogeneous diffusion in fractured crystalline rocks.” J. Contam. Hydrol., 69, 1–26.
Byegard, J., Johansson, H., and Skalberg, M. (1998). “The interaction of sorbing and non-sorbing tracers with different rock types.” TR-98-18, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management, Stockholm, Sweden.
Freedman, V. L., Saripalli, K. P., and Meyer, P. D. (2003). “Influence of mineral precipitation and dissolution on hydrologic properties of porous media in static and dynamic systems.” Appl. Geochem., 18, 589–606.
Grathwohl, P. (1998) Diffusion in natural porous media, Kluwer Academic, Boston.
McGrail, B. P., et al. (2000). “Waste form release data package for the 2001 immobilized low-activity waste performance assessment.” PNNL Rep. No. 13043, Rev. 1, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash.
Saripalli, K. P., Meyer, P. D., and Bacon, D. H. (2001). “Changes in hydrologic properties of aquifer media due to chemical reactions: A review.” Crit. Rev. Environ. Sci. Technol., 31(4), 311–349.
Shackelford, C. D. (1991). “Laboratory diffusion testing for waste disposal—A review.” J. Contam. Hydrol., 7, 177–217.
Skagius, K., and Neretnieks, I. (1986). “Porosities and diffusivities of some nonsorbing species in crystalline rocks.” Water Resour. Res., 22(3), 389–398.
Skagius, K., and Neretnieks, I. (1988). “Measurements of cesium and strontium diffusion in biotite gneiss.” Water Resour. Res., 24(1), 75–84.
Tachi, Y., Shibutani, T., Sato, H., and Yui, M. (1998). “Sorption and diffusion behavior of selenium in tuff.” J. Contam. Hydrol., 35(1–3), 77–89.
Vilks, P., Cramer, J. J., Jensen, M., Miller, N. H., Miller, H. G., and Stanchell, F. W. (2003). “In situ diffusion experiment in granite: Phase I.” J. Contam. Hydrol., 61(1–4), 191–202.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 9, 2005
Accepted: Nov 16, 2006
Published online: Oct 1, 2008
Published in print: Oct 2008
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.