Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Electrochemical Study Of Simulated Spent Nuclear Fuel (Simfuel) Corrosion Under Permanent Disposal Conditions, Ziyan Zhu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The safety assessment of spent nuclear fuel under permanent disposal conditions requires examination of the corrosion of the spent fuel waste form (UO₂) inside a failed waste container. The objective of this research project was to develop a detailed mechanism of the UO₂ corrosion process when exposed to groundwater. The redox conditions within a failed container in a deep geologic repository will be complex. The oxidant, H₂O₂, produced by the α-radiolysis of groundwater, will be the main driving force for fuel corrosion. However, the efficiency of fuel dissolution will be determined by the …

Electrochemical And Corrosion Examination Of Copper Under Deep Geologic Conditions For The Application Of Nuclear Waste Containers, Taylor L. Martino

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Copper is the selected material for the fabrication of nuclear fuel waste containers in Sweden, Finland and Canada due to its corrosion resistance in the anoxic aqueous environments, anticipated in deep geological repositories. A potential oxidant for copper is bisulphide produced either by the dissolution of minerals or by sulphate-reducing bacteria. The primary goals of this thesis were to determine the mechanism of corrosion of copper in bisulphide environments and to investigate the chemistry of the bentonite porewater that will ultimately be in contact with the copper container.

The mechanism of sulphide film growth and the details of copper corrosion …