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High-level radioactive waste needs to be stored for long-term and safe in a deep geological repository (DGR) by using a multi-barrier system. Different materials with desirable properties are combined in this system to prevent an early release of radionuclides into the biosphere. For this reason, it is necessary to select suitable barrier materials, which ideally combine long-term stability and integrity. In this study, we combined different container materials (copper and cast iron) and pore waters (Opalinus Clay pore water and cap rock solution) with a Bavarian bentonite in static batch experiments to investigate the microbial influenced corrosion. The increasing concentration of iron and copper in solution as well as detected corrosion products on the metal surface are indicative for an occurring anaerobic corrosion of the respective metals during an incubation of 400 days at 37°C. However, although the intrinsic microbial bentonite community was stimulated with either lactate or H2, an acceleration of cast iron- and copper corrosion did not occur. Furthermore, neither corrosive bacteria nor conventional bacterial corrosion products, such as metal-sulfides, were detected in any of the analyzed samples. The analyses of geochemical parameters (e.g. ferrous iron-, iron-, copper- and potassium concentration as well as redox potential) showed significant changes in some cast iron- and copper-containing setups, but these changes do not correlate with the microbial community structure in respective microcosms, as confirmed by statistical analyses. Thus, we assume that the analyzed Bavarian bentonite (type B25) shows no significant contribution to cast iron and copper corrosion under the applied conditions after long incubation of 400 days. From this perspective, bentonite B25 could be a suitable candidate as geotechnical barrier in future DGRs.

The long-term and safe storage of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in general, remains a challenge world-wide. The deep geological repository (DGR) is a concept of applying multi barriers to store the HLW and to ensure the long-term safety. Bentonite is proposed as a potential material for sealing the space between the canister containing the HLW and the surrounding host rock. To investigate the microbial diversity and metabolic activity of naturally occurring microorganisms in Bavarian bentonite B25 as well as their influence on the used canister materials (copper & cast iron), we conducted anaerobic microcosm experiments, incubating Bavarian bentonite B25, synthetic pore waters (synthetic Opalinus Clay pore water or diluted cap rock solution) and metal plates (copper or cast iron coupons) up to 400 days at 37 °C. We also added H2 or lactate to stimulate microbial activities in certain microcosms. Geochemical analyses showed a decrease of Eh, potassium and sulfate as well as an increase of Fe(II) in microcosms that contained synthetic Opalinus Clay pore water, H2 and cast iron. Statistical analysis indicated that these observations have no significant correlation in shaping microbial communities in the respective microcosms. Moreover, SEM images provided strong evidence that no clear corrosion on cast iron and copper was observed that is due to microbial activity. Overall, this study shows that B25 bentonite may be an ideal barrier material for a DGR due to its negative microbial effects, which prolong the entire lifespan of a DGR.

For the safe storage of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in deep geological repositories (DGR), several metals could potentially act as canister material and are under investigation with respect to their properties under disposal-relevant conditions. An essential requirement for the selected metal(s) is the long-term stability which is mainly realized by the resistance to corrosion. The process of corrosion depends on the overall environment in the surrounding of the metal canister and which will change over time. Here, parameters like redox potential, pH, the presence of (pore-) water, the salinity and also the presence of metabolically active microorganisms are of relevance, among others. In order to analyze the influence of different pore waters and the natural microbial community of a Bavarian bentonite, which acts as geotechnical barrier and will be in direct contact to the canister, microcosm experiments were set up. These slurry experiments contained B25 bentonite, synthetic Opalinus Clay pore water or saline cap rock solution as well as copper- or cast iron plates in various combinations. During an incubation time of 400 days under anaerobic conditions at 37 °C, several bio-geochemical parameters (e.g. pH, redox potential and the concentration of minerals, sulfate, iron(II/III) and organic acids) were analyzed as well as the corrosion process and a potential microbial influence. The obtained results provide insights into the complex interplay between bentonite, pore water, metals and microorganisms. Different precipitates like carbonates, iron oxides and sulfides were identified on the cast iron surface, potentially accelerating or slowing down the corrosion process and, thus, affecting the long-term stability of the metal canister in a DGR.

We present model experiments with biphasic flow and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for concentric co-flow scenarios. A lower viscosity fluid is injected into an outer phase of reduced thickness. Static design modifications of the injection geometry are then studied to allow for self-adjusting upstream transfer of mass and momentum. Such static arrangement gives rise to a simple biphasic fluid oscillator that can produce individual droplets at high rates and high aspect ratios. Frequency analysis and CFD simulations are invoked to shed light on the physics of this dynamically forced jet breakup and to identify relevant control parameters. In addition, we illustrate how a terminal baffle plate at the nozzle can produce a split-up into multiple dripping or jetting threads depending on its relative rotational symmetry with the upstream mass transfer. The here-presented distinctive injection geometry bears potential for simple ways of controlled jet breakup in microfluidics devices, which currently primarily rely on Rayleigh-Taylor breakup or the costly introduction of intricate actuators or compliant elements. Most notably, this oscillatory injector has potential for application in biphasic melt-flow spinnerets to realize advanced fiber core structures during melt-spinning.

The global production of 12,000 metric tonnes of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) every year is a big challenge with respect to its safe long-term storage. In the favored multi-barrier system, bentonite is used as a geo-technical barrier in many disposal programs worldwide. The bentonite seals the space between the canister containing the HLW and the surrounding host rock, thereby fulfilling two major tasks: 1) slow down the process of corrosion when water enters the disposal site, and 2) hinder the discharge of radionuclides into the bio-geosphere in case of a leaking canister. Due to their metabolic activity, microorganisms could influence the properties of the bentonite barrier. In order to investigate the metabolic potential of naturally occurring microorganisms, we conducted anaerobic bentonite-slurry experiments containing uncompact bentonite and a synthetic Opalinus Clay pore water solution. Within one-year incubation at 30 and 60 °C, lactate- or H2-stimulated microcosms at 30 °C showed the dominance and activity of strictly anaerobic, sulfate-reducing and spore-forming microorganisms. Consequently, hydrogen sulfide gas was generated in the respective set ups, leading to the formation of fractures and iron-sulfur precipitations. Experiments that incubated at 60 °C, showed the dominance of thermophilic bacteria, independent of the presence of substrates. The respective set ups showed no significant changes in the analyzed bio-geochemical parameters. The obtained results clearly show that indigenous microorganisms evolve in a temperature- and substrate-dependent manner. The formed metabolites can potentially affect the dissolution behavior of minerals and ions within the bentonite as well as the corrosion process of the canister material and require further investigations.

Every year 12,000 metric tonnes of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) are produced worldwide. For the long-term storage of this highly radiotoxic waste, a deep geological disposal by using multiple barriers is favored. Bentonite is proposed as a potential material for sealing the space between the canister containing the HLW and the surrounding host rock. In order to investigate the microbial diversity and metabolic activity of naturally occurring microorganisms as well as their time-dependent evolution, we conducted anaerobic microcosm experiments containing bentonite and a synthetic Opalinus Clay pore water solution. During the one-year incubation at 30 and 60 °C, lactate- or H2-stimulated microcosms at 30 °C showed the dominance and activity of strictly anaerobic, sulfate-reducing and spore-forming microorganisms. The subsequent generation of hydrogen sulfide gas in the respective set ups, led to the formation of fractures and iron-sulfur precipitations. In microcosms that incubated at 60 °C, thermophilic bacteria dominated, independent from the availability of substrates. In the respective microcosms, no significant metabolic activity was detected and there was no change in the analyzed bio-geochemical parameters. Our results show that indigenous microorganisms evolve in a temperature- and substrate-dependent manner. Potentially formed metabolites could affect the dissolution behavior of minerals and ions within the bentonite as well as the corrosion process of the canister material and require further investigations.

Neben abiotischen Faktoren können auch mikrobielle Prozesse einen Einfluss auf die Langzeitsicherheit eines nuklearen Endlagers haben. Darum wird aktuell im Rahmen des Projekts iCROSS die mikrobiellen Diversität in dem Verfüllmaterial Bentonit untersucht und die mikrobielle Aktivität mittels Mikrokosmosexperimenten bestimmt. Weitere Experimente befassen sich außerdem mit der mikrobiell beeinflussten Korrosion von Behältermaterialien. Letzteres ist auch von hoher Relevanz für andere technische Anlagen und Prozesse. Aus diesem Grund werden in dem Vortrag außerdem Möglichkeiten für weitere Projektideen aufgezeigt und diskutiert.

A deep geological disposal by using multiple barriers is favored for the long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste. A safe long-term storage means to analyze the applied materials according to their structural properties and stability in order to identify potential risks that could evolve during the operational phase and on the long run. So far, several concepts in Europe prefer cast iron and copper as canister materials (technical barrier) and bentonite as backfill- and buffering-/sealing material in between the canister and the host rock formation. In order to analyze the influence of naturally occurring microorganisms in bentonite on the respective barrier materials, different microcosm experiments were set up. These slurry experiments contain the Bavarian B25 bentonite, synthetic Opalinus Clay pore water or cap rock solution as well as copper- or cast iron plates in various combinations. During an incubation time of 400 days under anaerobic conditions at 37 °C, several bio-geochemical parameters (e.g. pH, redox potential and the concentration of minerals, sulfate, iron(II/III) and organic acids) were analyzed as well as the development of microbial diversity and incubated metal plates in the respective experiments. The obtained results provide insights into the complex interplay between bentonite, pore water, metals and microorganisms and can help to get a deeper understanding of the corrosion process of canister materials under the applied conditions.

The talk summerizes bio-geochemical results regarding the potential geo-technical barrier bentonite in a repositors of high-level radioactive waste.