• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.1511-1518
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• 2021

In most countries, the thermal criteria for the engineered barrier system (EBS) is set to below 100 ℃ due to the possible illitization in the buffer, which will likely be detrimental to the performance and safety of the repository. On the other hand, if the thermal criteria for the EBS increases, the disposal density and the cost-effectiveness for the high-level radioactive wastes will dramatically increase. Thus, fundamentals on the thermal behavior of the buffer under the elevated temperatures is of crucial importance. Yet, the behaviors at the elevated temperatures of the bentonite under groundwater-saturated conditions have not been reported to-date. Here, we have developed an in-situ synchrotron-based method for the thermal behavior study of the buffer under the elevated temperatures (25-250 ℃), investigated dspacings of the montmorillonite in the Korean bentonite (i.e., Ca-type) at dry and KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) groundwater-saturated conditions (KJ-ii-dry and KJ-ii-wet), and compared the behaviors with that of MX-80 (i.e., Na-type, MX-80-wet). The hydration states analyzed show tri-, bi-, and mono-hydrated at 25, 120, and 250 ℃, respectively for KJ-ii-wet, whereas tri-, mono-, and de-hydrated at 25, 150, and 250 ℃, respectively for MX-80-wet. The Korean bentonite starts losing the interlayered water at lower temperatures; however, holds them better at higher temperatures as compared with MX-80.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.29-38
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• 2021

This study investigated the mineralogical properties of bentonite and illite and evaluated the Cs sorption at various concentrations (C_w≈1-10⁵ ㎍/L). Bentonite samples, collected from South Korea and USA, majorly consisted of Ca- and Na-montmorillonite, showed large cation exchange capacity (CEC, 91.4 and 47.3 meq/100 g) and specific surface area (SSA, 46.1 and 39.7 m²/g). In contrast, illite sample (USA) had relatively low values for 14.4 meq/100g of CEC and 29.3 m²/g of SSA, respectively. Bentonite and illite had different non-linear sorption for Cs along with C_w. At low C_w<10 ㎍/L, illite showed higher sorption capacity than bentonite despite low CEC because of the existence of specific sorption sites at the weathered mineral edge. However, as C_w increased, bentonite represented high sorption capacity because the cation exchange between Cs and interlayer cations was effective at high C_w conditions. These results implicated that the Cs concentration is important to evaluate the sorption performance of bentonite and illite. Finally, the Cuadros' kinetic model for illitization using various K concentrations (2×10^-5 and 1.7×10^-3 mol/L) and temperature (100-200℃) showed that up to 50% of the montmorillonite in bentonite could be converted to illite, suggesting that the illitization should be considered to evaluate the sorption performance of the bentonite in deep geological disposal repository.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.293-304
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• 2002

Wet purification process for the selective separation of montmorillonite from Gampo 13 and 35 bentonite ores was studied using physical processes such as ultrasonic scrubbing, decantation and centrifugation. Ultrasonic Scrubbing of Gampo 13 and 35 bentonite ores was revealed excellent result at 7 wt.% of slurry density and was almost finished within 30 minutes in the sample of Gampo 13 and 10 minutes in the sample of Gampo 35, respectively After decantation, approximately 52 wt.% from the bentonite of Gampo 13 and 64wt.% from the bentonite of Gampo 35 were recovered as purified products and the CEC was reached up to 119.4 meq/100 g and 124.5 meq/100 g, respectively. Particle separation by centrifugation showed that most of the impurity minerals such as quartz and feldspar were removed within the condition of 1,000 rpm.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 2004

A zeolitic bentonite, which exhibits whitish appearance and contains considerable amounts (nearly 〉 5%) of zeolites, frequently occurs as thin beds less than 1 m in Yeongil area. The bentonites are mostly found in closely association with zeolite beds in the Nuldaeri Tuff and Coal-bearing formations of the Janggi Croup. A discordant occurrence of the bentonite against the bedding plane is also locally found. Montmorillonite, the major mineral constituent of the bentonite, is mostly associated with clinoptilolite as a zeolite. However, instead of clinoptilolite, mordenite is sometimes included in the case of more silicic bentonite, and heulandite in the less silicic one. It is characteristic that the mordenite is accompanied by lots of opal-CT in the silicic bentonite. SEM observations characteristically indicate that these authigenic phases, especially the montmorillonite and zeolite, nearly coexist as mixtures not forming a fine-scale zoning. The zeolitic bentonite seems to be formed in the comparatively silicic pore fluid at the alkaline condition accompanying pH fluctuation Compared to the zeolite-free normal bentonite, the zeolitic types exhibit somewhat higher REE abundance. These chemical characteristics, together with modes of occurrences and authigenic mineral associations, may suggest that the zeolitic bentonite is not merely diagenetic products and a possible hydrothermal alteration could not be excluded in the bentonite genesis.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.112-116
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• 2005

Composite films were prepared with soy protein isolate (SPI) and various clay minerals by casting from polymer and clay water suspension. Effects of clay minerals on film thickness, moisture content (MC), tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), water vapor permeability (WVP), and water solubility (WS) were tested. Properties including thickness, surface smoothness, and homogeneity of films prepared with organically modified montmorillonite (O-MMT), Wamok clay (W-clay), bentonite, talc powder, and zeolite were comparable to those of control SPI films. TS increased significantly (p<0.05) in films prepared with O-MMT and bentonite, while WVP decreased significantly (p<0.05) in bentonite-added films. WS of most nanocomposite films decreased significantly (p<0.05).

• 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.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2016.10a
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• pp.64-65
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• 2016

This study that prevent cancer using absorbent to inflow Radon gas in the room existing soil and rock is making board to absorb the Radon gas as a fundamental study. So, we use bentonite as a absorbent. So, we use bentonite as a absorbent. Bentonite is a 'clay mineral' composed to montmorillonite of main component that volcanic ash denatured to a clay mineral. Bentonite has fine microparticle of nano level, abundant mineral 66 of kinds, adsorbability, swelling, a positive ion(heavy metal adsorption reaction) as a bentonite's property. Using magnesia cement for oxide of magnesiuma and magnesium chloride as a main binder, we measure Radon gas absorbent efficiency and thermal conductivity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.302-310
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• 1990

A study has been made of the Korean bentonite aqueous suspension contrast with American bentonite by means of XRD IR swelling, gel formation and rheogram at various conditions such as concentration, temperature and pH. The Korean bentonite was identified as montmorillonite clay containig a small proprotion of crystoballite and mordenite, and its swelling power were acceptable for requirements of Korean pharmacopeia regulations though its values were not satisfied. Korean bentonite swelled to 10 times and American one did to 15 times compared to its bulkiness of powder. The rheogram of Korean bentonite suspension reveals bulged pseudoplatic flow with yield value at higher concentration and pseudoplastic flow without yield value at lower concentration. The higher the concentration, the greater were the apparent viscosity and hysteresis loop. Korean bentonite suspension showed insignificant temperature dependence on both apparent viscosity and hysteresis loop and it was more temperature dependent on viscosity but less on hysteresis loop than those of American sample. The pH dependence was so high on viscosity that apparent minimum value was near pH 7 and maximum value at pH 3 or 7. The hysteresis loop appeared minimum over the pH range 5-7 and maximum near pH 3 or 11. The Korean bentonite was inferior to the American bentonite in swelling volume, gel formation, thioxotropy, however, it would be possible to improve the quality of Korean bentonite by developing the method of purification for bentonite clay.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.313-324
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• 2024

Se sorption onto Ca-type montmorillonite purified from Bentonil-WRK-a new research bentonite introduced by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute-was examined under ambient conditions (pH 4-9, pe 7-9, I = 0.01 M CaCl₂, and T = 25℃). Se(IV) was identified as the oxidation state responsible for weak sorption (Kd < 22 L·kg^-1) by forming surface complexes with edge functional groups of the montmorillonite. Thermodynamic modeling, considering reaction mechanisms of outer-sphere complexation (≡AlOH⁺₂ + HSeO₃^- ⇌ ≡AlOH₃SeO₃, log K = 0.50 ± 0.21), inner-sphere complexation (2≡AlOH + H₂SeO₃(aq) ⇌ (≡Al)₂SeO₃ + 2H₂O(l), log K = 7.89 ± 0.51), and Ca²⁺-involved ternary complexation (≡AlOH + Ca²⁺ + SeO₃^2- ⇌ ≡AlOHCaSeO₃, log K = 7.69 ± 0.28) between selenite and aluminol sites of montmorillonite, acceptably reproduced the batch sorption data. Outer- and inner-sphere complexes are predominant Se(IV) forms sorbed in acidic (pH ≈ 4) and near-acidic (pH ≈ 6) regions, respectively, whereas ternary complexation accounts for Se(IV) sorption at neutral pHs under the ambient conditions. The experimental and modeling data generally extend a material-specific sorption database of Bentonil-WRK, which is essential for assessing its radionuclide retention performance as a buffer candidate of deep geological disposal system for high-level radioactive waste.