• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.603-618
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• 2023

This study focused on evaluating the suitability of the WRK (waste repository Korea) bentonite as a buffer material in the SNF (spent nuclear fuel) repository. The U (uranium) adsorption/desorption characteristics and the adsorption mechanisms of the WRK bentonite were presented through various analyses, adsorption/desorption experiments, and kinetic adsorption modeling at various pH conditions. Mineralogical and structural analyses supported that the major mineral of the WRK bentonite is the Ca-montmorillonite having the great possibility for the U adsorption. From results of the U adsorption/desorption experiments (intial U concentration: 1 mg/L) for the WRK bentonite, despite the low ratio of the WRK bentonite/U (2 g/L), high U adsorption efficiency (>74%) and low U desorption rate (<14%) were acquired at pH 5, 6, 10, and 11 in solution, supporting that the WRK bentonite can be used as the buffer material preventing the U migration in the SNF repository. Relatively low U adsorption efficiency (<45%) for the WRK bentonite was acquired at pH 3 and 7 because the U exists as various species in solution depending on pH and thus its U adsorption mechanisms are different due to the U speciation. Based on experimental results and previous studies, the main U adsorption mechanisms of the WRK bentonite were understood in viewpoint of the chemical adsorption. At the acid conditions (＜pH 3), the U is apt to adsorb as forms of UO₂²⁺, mainly due to the ionic bond with Si-O or Al-O(OH) present on the WRK bentonite rather than the ion exchange with Ca²⁺ among layers of the WRK bentonite, showing the relatively low U adsorption efficiency. At the alkaline conditions (>pH 7), the U could be adsorbed in the form of anionic U-hydroxy complexes (UO₂(OH)₃^-, UO₂(OH)₄^2-, (UO₂)₃(OH)₇^-, etc.), mainly by bonding with oxygen (O^-) from Si-O or Al-O(OH) on the WRK bentonite or by co-precipitation in the form of hydroxide, showing the high U adsorption. At pH 7, the relatively low U adsorption efficiency (42%) was acquired in this study and it was due to the existence of the U-carbonates in solution, having relatively high solubility than other U species. The U adsorption efficiency of the WRK bentonite can be increased by maintaining a neutral or highly alkaline condition because of the formation of U-hydroxyl complexes rather than the uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) in solution,and by restraining the formation of U-carbonate complexes in solution.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.147-159
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• 2002

Weathered bentonites occcur as surficial alterations of some domestic bentonite deposits in the Tertiary formations, with the thickness of less than about 50 cm, along naturally-formed weathering surface with slopping in gentle. 7 $\AA$-halloysite was found together with montmorillonite in the weathered bentonite. Compared to normal bentonite, the weathered one is generally more clay-rich and contains little amounts of original rock-forming minerals and residues. In the electron microscopy, fine-scale occurrence of the clay minerals tends to be somewhat discrete and segregated rather than closely associated. h curled margin of montmorillonite lamella is deformed to become obtuse in the weathered bentonite. Halloysite occurs as acicular to tubular crystals with the length of less than 2 $\mu$m and the width of about 0.3 $\mu$m, which commonly forms bundle-shaped aggregates. Electron microscopic observations on the fine-scale occurrence and texture of the wtathered bentonites indicate that the clay mineral transition from montmorillonite to halloysite has undergone without accompanying any intermediate phases of both clay minerals such as a mixed-layered type (M/H). The alteration reaction between these two clay minerals probably took place in the form of dissolution and precipitation mechanism in oxidation condition. An intense chemical leaching of SiO$_2$, Na, K and Ca might occur during the alteration reaction, forming a lot of dissolution cavity and residual concentration of A1$_2$O$_3$ and Fe, relatively. As the result of the chemical change, a fsvorable condition for halloysite formation seemed to be provided.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2013

This study proposed optimum lime contents for clayey soils consisting of representative clay minerals, Kaolinite and Na-Bentonite, according to optimum lime content method (ASTM C 977-22) by means of ground improvement method of clayey soils. As geotechnical properties, the variations of atterberg limits and unconfined compressive strength were analyzed and Ca-ion and micro-structure along elapsed time were observed for lime-added clayey specimens. The test results show that optimum lime content method provides an appropriate methodology for ground improvement of clayey soils and the variation of $Ca^{2+}$ might be a good index to predict the rate of ground improvement for clayey soils with lime addition.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 1986

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of surface charge of major clay minerals in Korea. The charge characteristics of clay minerals were studied by measuring the retention of $NH^+_4$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $Cl^-$ as a function of ionic strength. The dominant clay minerals of Zeolite, Bentonite and Kaolin were oriented as Clinoptilolite+Mordenite, Montmorillonite and Halloysite, respectively. At the same ionic strength, Montmorillonite and Halloysite adsorbed some more $Ca^{2+}$ than $NH^+_4$, whereas Zeolite adsorbed more $NH^+_4$ than $Ca^{2+}$. All the three minerals adsorbed more ions with higher ionic strength and the C.F.C was larger in the order of Halloysite < Montmorillonite < Zeolite. Since the total surface area by EGME rentention was shown to be in the order of Halloysite < Zeolite < Montmorillonite, therefore, the charge density was calculated to be in the order of Montmorillonite < Halloysite < Zeolite.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 1983

The determination of charge density and charge distribution in montmorillonite are discussed. The method is based on cation exchange of the inorganic interlayer cations against decylammonium ion and molecular intercalation of n-alcanol. The results obtained from Yougil-bentonite show that charge density of 0.37 per unit formula and cation exchange capacity of 102.5 meq/100g.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.569-573
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• 1998

A water soluble polymer, polycondensate of 1-butylamine and epichlorohydrin (PBE), was synthesized by condensation of 1-butylamine and epichlorohydrin. The characteristics of PBE were determined by IR spectroscopy, low angle light scattering measurement, and $\zeta$ potential measurement. Its interactions with colloidal bentonite particles in aqueous medium were also studied. The results of the studies are as follows : PBE is a cationic polyelectrolyte carrying tertiary ammonium ions on its backbone. The average molecular weight of PBE is found to be about 1,600. The adsorption of PBE on the colloidal bentonite particles are well described with Langmuir adsorption isotherm. As the amounts of PBE adsorbed on the bentonite particles increase, the $\zeta$ potential of the particles changes its sign from negative to positive. This inversion of charge confirms that PBE is cationic in nature. The adsorption of PBE onto the bentonite particles was found to occur through cation exchange reaction. It has been shown that PBE has flocculation effects on the colloidal suspension of bentonite. It has also enhanced effects of filtrability on the digested sludge.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2022

The sorption of Eu on MX-80 bentonite in Na-Ca-Cl solutions is investigated at a molal proton concentration (pH_m) range of 3 to 10 and an ionic strength (I) range of 0.1 to 6 m (mol·kgw^-1). The sorption equilibrium of Eu on MX-80 is achieved within 14 to 21 d at I = 0.1 and 6 m. The sorption distribution coefficient (K_d) values of Eu for MX-80 increase as pH_m increases from 3 to 6 for all I values, and they are independent of pH_m between 8 and 10 at I ≥ 0.5 m. Meanwhile, at I = 0.1 m, the K_d value at pH_m = 10 is slightly lower than those at pH_m = 8 and 9. The K_d values are not affected by the I values between 0.5 m and 6 m, whereas the K_d value at I = 0.1 m is greater than those at I ≥ 0.5 m, except at pH_m = 10. A two-site protolysis nonelectrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange sorption model is applied to the Eu sorption data for I ≤ 4 m, and the equilibrium constants of the sorption reactions are estimated.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.646-650
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• 1994

Aspergillus terreus NRRL 1960 was immobilized on various alginate gel beads, Celites, and polyurethane foam cubes, and the comparisons were made for the production of itaconic acid according to the types and sizes of each carrier. The levels of itaconic acid produced from Ca- alginate and Sr-alginate were similar, and the addition of bentonite to Ca- and Sr-alginate resulted in an increase of itaconic acid. The addition of 1.67% bentonite and 0.33% starch to Sr-alginate (SABS bead) produced higher level of itaconic acid (11.59 g/1) than other gel beads. A decrease in the size of Celite increased the itaconic acid production, and the smallest size of Celites, R- 634, produced 6.37 g/l of itaconic acid. Among various types of polyurethane foam cubes, HR 08 (2X2X2 cm) produced about 19 g/l of itaconic acid, which was more efficient than other carriers. In a repeated batch culture using immobilized cells on polyurethane foam cubes (HR 08, 2X2X2 cm), the stability of itaconic acid production was maintained up to 4 batches. Also, the possibility of itaconic acid production by continuous culture was shown in a packed-bed reactor.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.1616-1622
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• 2022

Selenium has been identified as an element of interest for the safety assessment of a deep geological repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel. In Canada, groundwaters at DGR depths in sedimentary rocks have been observed to have a high ionic strength. This paper examines the sorption behavior of Se(-II) onto illite, MX-80 bentonite, Queenston shale, and argillaceous limestone in Na-Ca-Cl solutions of varying ionic strength (0.1-6 mol/kgw (m)) and across a pH range of 4-9. Little ionic strength dependence for Se(-II) sorption onto all solids was observed except that sorption at high ionic strength (6 m) was generally slightly lower than sorption at low ionic strength (0.1 m). Illite and MX-80 exhibited the expected results for anion sorption, while shale and limestone exhibited more constant sorption across the pH range tested. A non-electrostatic surface complexation model successfully predicted sorption of Se(-II) onto illite and MX-80 using the formation of an inner-sphere surface complex and an outer-sphere surface complex. Optimized values for the formation reactions of these surface species were proposed.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.3 s.45
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• pp.183-194
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• 2005

The mineralogical, physicochemical and thermal properties of the Myogi bentonite occurring in Japan were measured. A adsorption properties of U, Th, Ce and Eu ions on the Myogi bentonite were also investigated in different solution concentrations and pH conditions. The Myogi bentonite showed a strong alkaline character (pH 10.4), very high swelling, viscosity property and CEC, and a slow flocculation behavior due to the strong hydrophilic property. By the thermal analysis, the dehydroxylation of crystal water in bulk and clay fractions of the Myogi bentonite occur at $591^{\circ}C$ and $658^{\circ}C$, respectively, The adsorption experiments of ions such as U, Th, Ce and Eu were conducted for 0.2 g bentonites with 20mL solutions of various concentrations and different pH conditions with pH 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. As a result, the Myogi bentonite showed excellent adsorption capacities for Ce, Th and Eu ions, whereas U ion showed very low adsorption capacity. Generally, Ce, Th and Eu ions showed the similar adsorption properties for the different concentrated solutions and pH conditions. These adsorption properties seem to be affected by the formation of various forms of chemical species and precipitation as well as ionic exchange reaction and surface adsorptions on smectite. Some associated zeolite minerals perhaps have some effects on the adsorption of U, Th, Ce and Eu on Myogi bentonite.