• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.123-136
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to propose a new methodology to fabricate a reliable engineering-scale buffer block, which shows homogeneous and uniform distribution in buffer block density, for in-situ experiments. In this study, for the first time in Korea, floating die press and CIP (Cold Isostatic Press) are applied for the manufacture of an engineering-scale bentonite buffer. The optimized condition and field applicability are also evaluated with respect to the method of manufacturing the buffer blocks. It is found that the standard deviation of the densities obtained decreases noticeably and that the average dry density increases slightly. In addition, buffer size is reduced by about 5% at the same time. Through the test production, it is indicated that the stress release phenomenon decreases after the application of the CIP method, which leads to a reduction in crack generation on the surface of the buffer blocks over time. Therefore, it is confirmed that the production of homogeneous buffer blocks on industrial scale is possible using the method suggested in this study, and that the produced blocks also meet the design conditions for dry density of buffer blocks in the AKRS (Advanced Korea Reference Disposal System of HLW).

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.113-123
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• 2022

The required density relationship according to the press pressure of the floating die method and the homogeneity of the density distribution in the buffer block was evaluated to analyze the manufacturing characteristics of engineering scale bentonite-sand buffer blocks. In addition, the thermal conductivity was measured and compared with that of the pure bentonite buffer block to evaluate the level of thermal conductivity performance improvement of the bentonite-sand buffer material. As a result, it was confirmed that the standard deviation of dry density decreased to 0.011 and showed a homogeneous density distribution under the condition of press pressure greater than 400 kg/cm². Furthermore, as a result of the thermal conductivity test, the thermal conductivity of the buffer with optimum moisture content conditions was 1.345 and 1.261 W/(m·K) under the press pressure of 400 and 600 kg/cm², respectively. It increased by 16.1% and 11.0% compared to the pure bentonite buffer material. Based on the results of this study, it is judged that it can be used as fundamental data for manufacturing a homogeneous bentonite-sand buffer block on an engineering scale.