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Study on borehole sealing corresponding to hydrogeological structures by groundwater flow analysis

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Abstract

In the intermediate depth disposal of relatively high-level radioactive waste, a method to evaluate whether the borehole for monitoring radionuclide leakage from the disposal facility is properly sealed should be developed in advance. In this method, it is important to identify the key characteristics of the backfill design conditions for the various hydraulic fields to prevent the formation of significant water pathways in and around the borehole. In this modelling study, groundwater flow analyses were performed for characteristic hydrogeological structures, assuming sedimentary rock area, that may form the water pathways and require attention to the backfilling, in order to understand analytically what design conditions could prevent the water pathways. The results indicated the design conditions, such as designing the permeability of bentonite material less than or equal to that of surrounding host rock and grouting BDZ (Borehole Disturbed Zone). It may be important to evaluate effects of the bentonite design conditions and the presence of grouting BDZ on borehole sealing.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Secretariat of Nuclear Regulation Authority, Nuclear Regulation Authority, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Safety Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki, Japan

    Takuma Sawaguchi, Shizuka Takai, Tsuyoshi Sasagawa, Emiko Uchikoshi, Yosuke Shima & Seiji Takeda

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  1. Takuma Sawaguchi
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  2. Shizuka Takai
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  3. Tsuyoshi Sasagawa
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  4. Emiko Uchikoshi
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  5. Yosuke Shima
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  6. Seiji Takeda
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Correspondence to Takuma Sawaguchi.

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Sawaguchi, T., Takai, S., Sasagawa, T. et al. Study on borehole sealing corresponding to hydrogeological structures by groundwater flow analysis. MRS Advances 8, 243–249 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-023-00528-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-023-00528-y

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