• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.99-114
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• 2004

Mineralogical characteristics of fracture-filling minerals from deep borehole in the Yuseong area were studied for the radioactive waste disposal project. There are many fracture zones in the deep drill holes of the Yuseong granite, which was locally affected by the hydrothermal alteration. According to the results of hole rock analysis of drill core samples, $SiO_2$ contents are distinctly decreased, whereas $Al_2$$O_3$ and CaO contents and L.O.I. values are increased in the -90 m∼-130 m and -230 m∼-250 m zone, which is related to the formations of filling minerals. Fracture-filling minerals mainly consist of zeolite minerals (laumontite and heulandite), calcite, illite ($2M_1$ and 1Md polytypes), chlorite, epidote and kaolinite. The relative frequency of occurrence among the fracture-filling minerals is calcite zeolite mineral > illite > epidote chlorite kaolinite. Judging from the SEM observation and EPMA analysis, there is no systematic change in the texture and chemical composition of the fracture-filling minerals with depth. In the study area, low temperature hydrothermal alteration was overlapped with water-rock interactions for a long geological time through the fracture zone developed in the granite body. Therefore the further study on the origin and paragenesis of the fracture-filling minerals are required.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2022

The mechanical and thermal properties of the rock masses can affect the performance associated with both the isolating and retarding capacities of radioactive materials within the deep geological disposal system for High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW). In this study, the essential parameters for the site descriptive model (SDM) related to the rock mechanics and thermal properties of the HLW disposal facilities site were reviewed, and the technical background was explored through the cases of the preceding site descriptive models developed by SKB (Swedish Nuclear and Fuel Management Company), Sweden and Posiva, Finland. SKB and Posiva studied parameters essential for the investigation and evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties, and derived a rock mechanics site descriptive model for safety evaluation and construction of the HLW disposal facilities. The rock mechanics SDM includes the results obtained from investigation and evaluation of the strength and deformability of intact rocks, fractures, and fractured rock masses, as well as the geometry of large-scaled deformation zones, the small-scaled fracture network system, thermal properties of rocks, and the in situ stress distribution of the disposal site. In addition, the site descriptive model should provide the sensitivity analysis results for the input parameters, and present the results obtained from evaluation of uncertainty.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.199-211
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• 1997

As a part of study on geological disposal of radioactive waste, hydrogeochemical characteristics of deep granitic groundwater in Korea were investigated through the construction of a large geochemical dataset of natural water, the examination on the behaviour of dissolved constituents, and the consideration of phase stability based on thermodynamic approach. In granitic region, the contents of total dissolved solids increase progressively from surface waters to deep groundwaters, which indicates the presence of more concentrated waters at depth due to water-rock interaction. The chemical composition of groundwater evolves from initial $Ca^{2＋}$－(C $l^{－}$＋S $O_4$$^{2-}$) or $Ca^{2＋}$-HC $O_3$$^{－}$ type to final N $a^{＋}$-HC $O_3$$^{－}$ or N $a^{＋}$－(C $l^{－}$＋S $O_4$$^{2-}$) type, via $Ca^{2＋}$-HC $O_3$$^{－}$ type. Three main mechanisms seem to control the chemical composition of groundwater in the granitic region; 1) congruent dissolution of calcite at shallower depth, 2) calcite precipitation and incongruent dissolution of plagioclase at deeper depth, and 3) kaolinite-smectite or/and kaolinite-illite reaction at equilibrium at deeper depth. The behaviour of dissolved major cations (C $a^{2＋}$, $K^{＋}$, $Mg^{2＋}$, M $a^{＋}$) and silica is likely to be controlled by these reactions.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.419-434
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• 2020

In this study, the damage parameters of Mazars model for KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) granite are measured form uniaxial compressive and Brazilian tests under the simulated coupled condition of a deep geological disposal. The tests are conducted in three different temperatures (15℃, 45℃, and 75℃) and dry/saturated conditions. Major model parameters such as maximum effective tensile strain (𝜖_d0), A_t, B_t, A_c, and B_c differ from the typical reference values of concrete specimens. This is likely due to the difference in elastic modulus between rock and concrete. It is found that the saturation of specimens causes an increase in value of B_t and B_c while, the rise in temperature increases 𝜖_d0 and B_t and decreases B_c. The damage model obtained from this study will be used as the primary input parameters in the development of coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Damage numerical model in KAERI.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.89-98
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• 1978

Mineralogy, beneficiation, and processes of titanium ores are reviewed from petrographic viewpoints. The most important titanium minerals are ilmenite ($FeTiO_3$) and rutile ($TiO_2$). Ilmenite will play major role :for raw material, because rutile are rapidly diminishing. Thus, there is a need to develope a successful process for producing high grade Ti02 from ilmenite. Commercial, as well as R and D processes to treat more abundant ilmenite ores fall in three general classess: 1. Iron in ilmenite is partially or completely reduced and separated either physically or chemically. 2. Iron is reduced to ferrous state and chemically leached away from the titanium. 3. Ore is treated to make chlorides either selectively or with subsequent separation and purification of $TiC_4$. Routes and efficiencies of these process technologies are primarily influenced by the particular ore deposit to be mined and secondly by environmental considerations. One deposit parameters which influence ilmenite process technologies are: 1. Complexity of microtextures of ilmenite intergrown with Fe-oxide minerals. 2. Composition of concentrates; ilmenites contain minor amounts of substituted Mg, Mn, and V. These elements plus iron and gangue minerals can cause difficulties to complete reactions, substantial acid consumption, difficulties of removing waste solids, and waste disposal problems. Major contributions to be made by petrologists for process optimization are: characterization and interpretation of compositional and physical changes of raw materials and solids derived from process streams. These informations can play significant role in selecting and improving process steps for titania production.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.273-281
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• 2007

Hyperalkaline groundwater formed by groundwater-cement components and its reaction with bedrock in a nuclear waste repository were simulated by geochemical modeling. The result of groundwater-cement components reaction showed that the pH of water was 13.3 and the precipitated minerals were Brucite, Katoite, Calcium Silicate Hydrate(CSH1.1), Ettringite, Hematite, and Portlandite. The result of interaction between such minerals and groundwater sampled in Gyeongju area also showed that the pH of groundwater reached 12.4. Interaction between such hyperalkaline groundwater and granite was simulated by kinetic model during $10^3$ years. This result showed that the final pH of groundwater reached 11.2 and the variation of pH was controlled by dissolution/precipitation of silicate and CSH minerals. Groundwater quality was also determined by dissolution/precipitation of silicate, CSH, oxide minerals. Our results show that geochemical modeling of long-term hyperalkaline groundwater and rock interaction can contribute to the safety assessment of engineered barrier by predicting geochemical condition in repository site.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.375-381
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• 2004

Pyrochlore was known as one of the most promising materials for the immobilization of radioactive actinide. This study includes the synthesis, phase relation and characteristics of pyrochlores (CaCeH$f_xTi_{2-x}O_7$=0.2, 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, 2.0) in the system of Ca-Ce-Hf-Ti-O. The samples were prepared from high purity of starting materials under the pressure of 400kg/cm$^2$ at room temperature, and were sintered at 1200∼1$600^{\circ}C$ The synthesized samples were analyzed and identified with XRD. The optimal formation conditions of pyrochlores were at 1300∼150$0^{\circ}C$ under $O_2$ atmosphere with batch compositions. During synthesis, pyrochlore, perovskite and $A_{2}BO_{5}$ oxide were formed. The characteristics of this system is that parameter of pyrochlore was increased with the content of hafnium. This phenomenon was due to the difference of ionic size between hafnium and titanium in six coordinated site.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 2011

In this study, an in situ heater test for investigating the thermo-mechanical behavior related to heat flow was carried out. It was the first in situ heater test in Korea. For the test, an adequate design of heater, observation sensors, and data logging system was developed and installed with a consideration of the site condition and the test purposes. It was possible to observe that steep joints are overwhelmingly developed in the test area from a joint survey. The major rock and rock mass properties at the test site could be determined from the thermal and mechanical laboratory tests using the rock cores from the site. From the measured rock temperature distribution, it was possible to observe the influence of the rock joints and the heat flow through tunnel wall. When the heater temperature was maintained as $90^{\circ}C$, the rock temperature at 0.3 m from the heater hole was increased up to $40^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.63-75
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• 2012

This paper gives some basic requirements and preferences of various geological environmental conditions for the final deep geological repository of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). This study also indicates how the requirements and preferences are to be considered prior to the selection of sites for a site investigation as well as the final disposal in Korea. The results of the study are based on the knowledge and experience from the IAEA and NEA/OECD as well as the advanced countries in SNF disposal project. This study discusses and suggests preliminary guideline of the disposal requirements including geological, mechanical, thermal, hydrogeological, chemical and transport properties of host rock with long term geological stabilities which influence the functions of a multi-barrier disposal system. To apply and determine whether requirements and preferences for a given parameter are satisfied at different stages during a site selection and suitability assessment of a final disposal site, the quantitative criteria in each area should be formulated with credibility through relevant research and development efforts for the deep geological environment during the site screening and selection processes as well as specific studies such as productions of safety cases and validation studies using a generic underground research laboratory (URL) in Korea.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2012

Geochemical composition of fracture filling minerals and groundwater was investigated to characterize geochemical characteristics of groundwater system at the KURT site. Minerals such as calcite, illite, laumontite, chlorite, epidote, montmorillonite, and kaolinite, as well as I/S mixed layer minerals were detected in the minerals extracted from the fracture surfaces of the core samples. The groundwater from the DB-1, YS-1 and YS-4 boreholes showed alkaline conditions with pH of higher than 8. The electrical conductivity (EC) values of the groundwater samples were around $200{\mu}S/cm$, except for the YS-1 borehole. Dissolved oxygen was almost zero in the DB-1 borehole indicating highly reduced conditions. The Cl- concentration was estimated around 5 mg/L and showed homogeneous distribution along depths at the KURT site. It might indicate the mixing between shallow groundwater and deep groundwater. The shallow groundwater from boreholes showed $Ca-HCO_3$ type, whereas deep groundwater below 300 m from the surface indicated $Na-HCO_3$ type. The isotopic values observed in the groundwater ranged from -10.4 to -8.2‰ for ${\delta}^{18}O$ and from -71.3 to -55.0‰for ${\delta}D$. In addition, the isotope-depleted water contained higher fluoride concentration. The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic values of deep groundwater were more depleted compared to the shallow groundwater. The results from age dating analysis using $^{14}C$ indicated relatively younger (2000~6000yr old) groundwater compared to other european granitic groundwaters such as Stripa (Sweden).