• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.489-504
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• 2006

A review has been made for the previous studies on safety of a geologic repository for high-level radioactive wastes (HLW) related to autocatalytic criticality phenomena with positive reactivity feedback. Neutronic studies on geometric and materials configuration consisting of rock, water and thermally fissile materials and the radionuclide migration and accumulation studies were performed previously for the Yucca Mountain Repository and a hypothetical water-saturated repository for vitrified HLW. In either case, it was concluded that it would be highly unlikely for an autocatalytic criticality event to happen at a geologic repository. Remaining scenarios can be avoided by careful selection of a repository site, engineered-barrier design and conditioning of solidified HLW. Thus, criticality safety should be properly addressed in regulations and site selection criteria. The models developed for radiological safety assessment to obtain conservatively overestimated exposure dose rates to the public may not be used directly for the criticality safety assessment, where accumulated fissile materials mass needs to be conservatively overestimated. The models for criticality safety also require more careful treatment of geometry and heterogeneity in transport paths because a minimum critical mass is sensitive to geometry of fissile materials accumulation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.1053-1059
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• 2009

In this study, slope hazards mitigation methods for a natural terrain are systematically classified to survey the mitigation methods and develop a data base system. Also, field survey sheets which can be recorded the features of mitigation methods installed in the natural slope are developed. The slope hazards mitigation methods in the natural slope are classified as hillside part method and valley part method. The slope part sheet and the valley part sheet are also drawn up for field survey. As the result of the filed survey of mitigation methods about 50 points in Muju and Jangsu area, grass painting and slope covering methods are dominant in case of slopes part. In case of valley part, slit dam, concrete check dam and slope foot barrier are applied simultaneously.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

Deep geological disposal is the preferred storage method for high-level radioactive waste, because it ensures stable long-term storage with minimal potential for human disruption. Because of the risk of groundwater contamination, a buffer of steel and bentonite layers has been proposed to prevent the leaching of radionuclides into groundwater. Quartz is one of the most common minerals in earth's crust. To understand how deformation and dissolution phenomena affect waste disposal, here we study quartz samples at pressure, temperature, and pH conditions typical of deep geological disposal sites. We perform a dissolution experiment for single quartz crystals under different pressure and temperature conditions. Solution samples are collected and the dissolution rate is calculated by analyzing Si concentrations in a solution excited by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). After completing the dissolution experiment, deformation of the quartz sample surfaces is investigated with a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). An empirical formula is introduced that describes the relationship between dissolution rate, pressure, and temperature. These results suggest that bentonite layers in engineering barrier systems may be vulnerable to thermal deformation, even when exposed to higher temperatures on relatively short timescales.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.251-260
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• 2016

Groundwater flow due to hydraulic gradients across a geologic barrier surrounding a dam reservoir can cause swamps or wetlands to form on the downstream side of the dam, thereby restricting land use. The difference in head between the reservoir level and the downstream groundwater level creates a hydraulic gradient, allowing water to flow through the geologic barrier. We constructed a drainage system at the Daecheong dam to study the effects on groundwater levels and soil moisture contents. The drainage system consisted of a buried screened pipe spanning a depth of 1-1.5 m below a land surface. Groundwater levels were monitored at several monitoring wells before and after the drainage system was installed. Most well sites recorded a decline in groundwater level on the order of 1 m. The high-elevated site (monitoring well W1) close to the reservoir showed a significant decline in groundwater level of more than 2 m, likely due to rapid discharge by the drainage system. Soil moisture contents were also analyzed and found to have decreased after the installation of the drainage system, even considering standard deviations in the soil moisture contents. We conclude that the drainage system effectively lowered groundwater levels on the downstream side of the dam. Furthermore, we emphasize that water seepage analyses are critical to embankment dam design and construction, especially in areas where downstream land use is of interest.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2019

The rainfall intensity-duration curve (I-D curve) was used for selecting the dredging time of sediments behind a debris barrier which is located at the study area in Inje-gun, Kangwon Province. The I-D curve was newly suggested by using the data of rainfall-induced landslides for about 30 years from June to September in Kangwon Province. According to the monitoring results, the landslides have been not occurred during the monitoring period of the dredged sediments management system at the study area, and also all of the rainfall events were located below the I-D curve. The weight of the dredged sediments measured at the management system in the field was increased but the weight increment was small. It means that the increase of the dredged sediments was not the effect of landslide but the effect of soil erosion at the ground surface due to heavy rainfall. The weight of the dredged sediments behind a debris barrier could be known in real time using the rainfall data measured at the management system. Also, when the I-D curve is used with the management system, it is possible to select the optimum dredging time for sediments behind debris barrier.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.933-935
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• 2003

Geo-scientifically viable, environmentally suitable, and socially acceptable sanitary landfill sites are very limited in the Kathmandu Valley and is confronted with the burning problem of safe disposal of urban waste. This paper deal with the evaluation and assessment of its interface, following the major criteria defining suitable geological barrier, Cation Exchange Capacity and other necessary physical parameters with the optimum utilization of remotely sense data along with GIS techniques. The study revealed one of the most viable sites at the flat land of natural depression of Taikabu area and has potential to serve all the municipalities of the Kathmandu Valley.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2018

The dredged sediment management system was developed to have an objective, quantitative and scientific decision for the optimum removal time of dredged sediments behind debris barrier and was set up at the real site. The dredged sediment management system is designed and developed to directly measure the dredged sediments behind debris barrier in the field. This management system is composed of Data Acquisition System (DAS), Solar System and measurement units for measuring the weight of dredge sediments. The weight of dredged sediments, the water level and the rainfall are measured in real time using the monitoring sensors, and their data can be transmitted to the office through a wireless communication method. The monitoring sensors are composed of the rain gauge to measure rainfall, the load cell system to measure the weight of dredged sediments, and water level meter to measure the water level behind debris barrier. The management criteria of dredged sediments behind debris barrier was suggested by using the weight of dredged sediments. At first, the maximum weight of dredged sediments that could be deposited behind debris barrier was estimated. And then when 50%, 70% and 90% of the maximum dredged sediments weight were accumulated behind debris barrier, the management criteria were divided into phases of Outlooks, Watch and Warning, respectively. The weight of dredged sediments can be monitored by using the dredged sediment management system behind debris barrier in real time, and the condition of debris barrier and the removal time of dredged sediments can be decided based on monitoring results.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.spc
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• pp.51-62
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• 2020

In this paper, an approach developed by the Finnish nuclear waste management organization, Posiva, for the construction license of a geological repository was reviewed. Furthermore, a computer program based on the approach was developed. By using the computer program, the lifetime of a copper disposal canister, which was a key engineered barrier of the geological repository, was predicted under the KAERI Underground Research Tunnel (KURT) geologic conditions. The computer program was developed considering the mass transport of corroding agents, such as oxygen and sulfide, through the buffer and backfill. Shortly after the closure of the repository, the corrosion depths of a copper canister due to oxygen in the pores of the buffer and backfill were calculated. Additionally, the long-term corrosion of a copper canister due to sulfide was analyzed in two cases: intact buffer and eroded buffer. Under various conditions of the engineered barrier, the corrosion lifetimes of the copper canister due to sulfide significantly exceeded one million years. Finally, this study shows that it is necessary to carefully characterize the transmissivity of rock and sulfide concentration during site characterization to accurately predict the canister lifetime.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2005.11b
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• pp.225-235
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• 2005

This paper outlined the status of the development of Korean Reference Disposal (KRS­1) system for high-level radioactive wastes. The repository concept was based on the engineering barrier system which KAERI has developed through a long-term research and development program. The design requirements were prepared for the conceptual design of the repository. The amount of PWR and CANDU spent fuels were projected with the current nuclear power plan. The disposal rates of PWR and CANDU spent fuels were analyzed. The reference geologic characteristics including classification of fracture zones were set for the KRS. The disposal concepts and the layout of the repository were described.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.396-407
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• 2008

Hydrogeologic properties of a well field around middle mountainous areas in Pyosun, Jeju volcanic island were examined based on water level monitoring, geologic logging and pumping test data. Due to the alternating basaltic layers with varying permeability in the subsurface, it is difficult to analyze the hydraulic responses to artificial pumping and/or natural precipitation. The least permeable layer, detrital materials with clay, is found at a depth of 200 m below surface, but it is not an upper confining bed for lower main aquifer. Nevertheless, this layer may serve as a natural barrier to vertical percolation and to contaminant migration. Water levels of the production wells are dominantly affected by pumping frequently, while those of the remote observation wells are controlled by ambient precipitation. Results of pumping tests revealed a possible existence of horizontal anisotropy of transmissivity. However, some results of this study include inherent limitations enforced by field conditions such as the consistent of groundwater production and the set of time periods for the cessation of the pumping prior to pumping tests.