Fate of Repository Gases (FORGE)

Project programme
Period
02.02.2009 - 29.03.2013
Project status
Completed
Project table
Project website
Database link

The multiple barrier concept is the cornerstone of all proposed schemes for underground disposal of radioactive wastes. The concept invokes a series of barriers, both engineered and natural, between the waste and the surface. Achieving this concept is the primary objective of all disposal programmes, from site appraisal and characterisation to repository design and construction. However, the performance of the repository as a whole (waste, buffer, engineering disturbed zone, host rock), and in particular its gas transport properties, are still poorly understood. Issues still to be adequately examined that relate to understanding basic processes include: dilational versus visco-capillary flow mechanisms; long-term integrity of seals, in particular gas flow along contacts; role of the EDZ as a conduit for preferential flow; laboratory to field up-scaling. Understanding gas generation and migration is thus vital in the quantitative assessment of repositories and is the focus of the research in this proposal for an integrated, multi-disciplinary project. The FORGE proposal is for a pan-European project with links to international radioactive waste management organisations, regulators and academia, specifically designed to tackle the key research issues associated with the generation and movement of repository gasses. Of particular importance are the long-term performance of bentonite buffers, plastic clays, indurated mudrocks and crystalline formations. Further experimental data are required to reduce uncertainty relating to the quantitative treatment of gas in performance assessment. FORGE will address these issues through a series of laboratory and field-scale experiments, including the development of new methods for up-scaling allowing the optimisation of concepts through detailed scenario analysis. The FORGE partners are committed to training and CPD through a broad portfolio of training opportunities and initiatives which form a significant part of the project.

LEI activities in the Project

LEI participated in the Project’s section of numerical investigations, which was coordinated by the French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency ANDRA. In this section, the influence of generated gas on long-term safety of a geological repository was evaluated. LEI developed a numerical model for evaluation of generated gas behaviour in the long-term perspective of repository lifetime using the modelling tool PETRASIM. Simulations of proposed benchmarks were performed and modelling results were compared to the results of Project partners.

Total cost:  11 626 902 EUR (LEI part: 30 956 EUR)

Coordinator: NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL, United Kingdom

Participants:

  • REGIA AUTONOMA PENTRU ACTIVITATI NUCLEARE DROBETA TR. SEVERIN RA SUCURSALA CERCETARI NUCLEARE PITESTI, Romania
  • NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING AUTHORITY – NDA, United Kingdom
  • SVENSK KARNBRANSLEHANTERING AKTIEBOLAG, Sweden
  • STUDIECENTRUM VOOR KERNENERGIE, Belgium
  • AGENCE NATIONALE POUR LA GESTION DES DECHETS RADIOACTIFS, France
  • COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, France
  • CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS, MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICAS-CIEMAT, Spain
  • CENTRE INTERNACIONAL DE METODES NUMERICS EN ENGINYERIA, Spain
  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS, France
  • ECOLE CENTRALE DE LILLE, France
  • ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE, France
  • GESELLSCHAFT FUR ANLAGEN UND REAKTORSICHERHEIT (GRS) gGmbH, Germany
  • NATIONALE GENOSSENSCHAFT FUER DIE LAGERUNG RADIOAKTIVER ABFAELLE, Switzerland
  • UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE, Belgium
  • POSIVA OY, Finland
  • CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZE, Czech Republic
  • UJV REZ, a.s., Czech Republic
  • INSTITUT DE RADIOPROTECTION ET DE SURETE NUCLEAIRE, France
  • REGIA AUTONOMA TEHNOLOGII PENTRU ENERGIA NUCLEARA – RATEN, Romania
  • INSTITUT FÜR GEBIRGSMECHANIK GMBH, Germany
  • LIETUVOS ENERGETIKOS INSTITUTAS, Lithuania
  • EIDGENOSSISCHES NUKLEARSICHERHEINSPEKTORAT ENSI, Switzerland
  • FEDERAL AGENCY FOR NUCLEAR CONTROL, Belgium
  • RADIOACTIVE WASTE REPOSITORY AUTHORITY, Czech Republic

Project Team

Name, surname Office phone. e-mail

LEI Representative
 
Povilas Poškas 62-BRK +37037401891 Povilas.Poskas@lei.lt

Project Team
 
Darius Justinavičius
Robertas Poškas 52-BRK +37037401893 Robertas.Poskas@lei.lt