907.1 Centre of Experimental Geotechnics Teaching Activities Related to Radioactive Waste Storage Based on Research Experience Jan Smutek, Jiří Svoboda Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Centre of Experimental Geotechnics Thakurova 7, 166 29 Prague 6, Czech Republic [email protected], [email protected]ABSTRACT The Centre of Experimental Geotechnics (CEG) is a department of the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), part of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, concerned with both research and teaching activities related particularly to the experimental research of radioactive waste disposal. In 2007 the CEG opened the Josef Underground Educational Facility (Josef UEF) which provides not only a unique teaching facility, but also an ideal environment for research and experimentation. The courses provided by the CEG involve a combination of laboratory work and in-situ experimentation at the Josef UEF. The structure and content of the courses are based on ongoing projects at the facility and the experience of CEG research and teaching personnel. Over the past several years, CEG research projects have concentrated on radioactive waste disposal in deep underground repositories. A major part of the CEG’s work is currently focused on the measurement of the gas permeability of rock masses. Current projects are concerned with the study of gas transport through rock masses in the conditions expected in a deep underground repository for high-level radioactive waste. The Josef UEF works on the open access principle in order to build confidence in controversial issues connected with radioactive waste confinement. 1 INTRODUCTION The Centre of Experimental Geotechnics (CEG) is a modern experimental department of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (Czech Technical University in Prague) concerned with both research and teaching activities. The Centre employs a team of young specialists in experimental geotechnics. The CEG came up with the original idea of commissioning the Josef Underground Educational Facility (UEF) and is responsible for its operation. The Josef UEF’s main roles are to provide practical teaching for students in a real-life environment and support services for experimental research projects and to contribute towards creating closer links between university theoretical teaching and practical research. 2 JOSEF UEF The Josef Underground Educational Facility (Josef UEF) is a new Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU in Prague) facility which opened in June 2007 (Figure 1). The Josef UEF is employed primarily for the teaching of students from the CTU and other universities. Additional activities include research and cooperation on
Transcript
907.1
Centre of Experimental Geotechnics Teaching Activities Related to
Radioactive Waste Storage Based on Research Experience
Jan Smutek, Jiří Svoboda Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Centre of Experimental
The Centre of Experimental Geotechnics (CEG) is a department of the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), part of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, concerned with both research and teaching activities related particularly to the experimental research of radioactive waste disposal. In 2007 the CEG opened the Josef Underground Educational Facility (Josef UEF) which provides not only a unique teaching facility, but also an ideal environment for research and experimentation. The courses provided by the CEG involve a combination of laboratory work and in-situ experimentation at the Josef UEF. The structure and content of the courses are based on ongoing projects at the facility and the experience of CEG research and teaching personnel.
Over the past several years, CEG research projects have concentrated on radioactive waste disposal in deep underground repositories. A major part of the CEG’s work is currently focused on the measurement of the gas permeability of rock masses. Current projects are concerned with the study of gas transport through rock masses in the conditions expected in a deep underground repository for high-level radioactive waste.
The Josef UEF works on the open access principle in order to build confidence in controversial issues connected with radioactive waste confinement.
1 INTRODUCTION
The Centre of Experimental Geotechnics (CEG) is a modern experimental department of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (Czech Technical University in Prague) concerned with both research and teaching activities. The Centre employs a team of young specialists in experimental geotechnics. The CEG came up with the original idea of commissioning the Josef Underground Educational Facility (UEF) and is responsible for its operation. The Josef UEF’s main roles are to provide practical teaching for students in a real-life environment and support services for experimental research projects and to contribute towards creating closer links between university theoretical teaching and practical research.
2 JOSEF UEF
The Josef Underground Educational Facility (Josef UEF) is a new Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU in Prague) facility which opened in June 2007 (Figure 1). The Josef UEF is employed primarily for the teaching of students from the CTU and other universities. Additional activities include research and cooperation on
907.2
projects commissioned by the private business sector. The range of activities provided by the Josef facility is unique not only in the Czech Republic but throughout the whole of Europe.
This underground workplace was created by the reconstruction of the former Josef exploration gallery which was excavated as part of the exploration of local gold-bearing deposits (Figure 2). Arguably the Josef UEF’s most important role is to provide for in-situ research related to high-level radioactive waste disposal.
The facility is located near the Slapy dam close to the villages of Čelina and Mokrsko in the Příbram district of Central Bohemia, Czech Republic.
The Josef UEF operates in close cooperation with the IAEA, other nationally developed underground research facilities (URFs) and associated laboratories concerned with the geological disposal of radioactive waste [1]. Both the URFs and the laboratories make up an extensive network for training in and the demonstration of waste disposal technologies as well as the sharing of knowledge.
Figure 1: The Josef UEF
Figure 2: Scheme and Geology of the Josef Gallery
Proceedings of the International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, Sept. 6-9, 2010
907.3
3 TEACHING ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH PROJECTS
3.1 Education
Teaching programmes related to underground structures commenced at the Josef UEF at the beginning of the academic year 2007/2008. The courses are distinctively practically oriented, thus students have a unique opportunity to take real measurements and perform real experiments in an authentic environment.
A number of teaching courses deal with issues associated with the safe isolation of radioactive waste. The CEG is involved in the PETRUS II project which concerns the development of the concept of a pan-European system of specialist training in the problems of radioactive waste disposal in deep repositories [2]. The CTU is also a member of a number of international associations related to radioactive waste storage (ENEN, IAEA URF Net, IGD-TP, and the ITC School).
The courses provided by the CEG (both in Czech and English) teach students about the basic principles of radioactive waste disposal, the characteristics of bentonite-based materials used for the construction of engineered barriers in deep underground repositories and physical modelling, the practical elements of which are taught at the Josef UEF. The practical teaching courses involve a combination of laboratory work and in-situ experimentation at the Josef UEF (Figure 3). The structure and content of the courses are based on ongoing projects at the facility and the experience of CEG research and teaching personnel, which provides students with the opportunity to learn about the challenges inherent in experimental work firstly in the laboratory and then in-situ. Consequently, they gather important practical knowledge and learn firsthand about the limitations imposed by the environment in which they work.
Courses are either compulsory or voluntary depending on the student’s future planned study specialisation. Final thesis themes chosen by students are usually closely connected with the research projects underway at the CEG. Students use both the geotechnical laboratories and the Josef facility for research purposes.
Figure 3: Practical exercises at the Josef UEF
3.1.1 PETRUS 2
The aim of the PETRUS 2 (“Towards a European Training Market and Professional Qualifications in Geological Disposal, EU FP7”) project is to enable present and future professionals concerned with radioactive waste management in Europe, whatever their initial disciplinary background, to follow a training programme on geological disposal which will be widely recognised across Europe [2].
The project concerns the development of the concept of an all-European system of specialist training in the problems of radioactive waste disposal in deep repositories
Proceedings of the International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, Sept. 6-9, 2010
907.4
accompanied by the harmonization of the curricula of participating universities which will lead eventually to the establishment of a full-time international master’s degree course (90 ECTS - European Credit Transfer System). Leading participating universities include INPL Nancy, UPM Madrid, TU Clausthal and the CTU in Prague (CEG FCE). Students share lectures presented via on-line e-learning technology. Instruction will also include a practical one-week course which will take place both in the CEG’s laboratories and in the real-life environment of the Josef UEF.
3.1.2 MEZILAB
Arguably the most important topics today in terms of underground research consist of the construction and operation of gas storage facilities, the disposal of spent nuclear fuel in deep repositories and CO2 storage. It is clearly necessary to educate a new generation of experts whose mission will be to discover optimal solutions for these issues. The complexities involved in conducting such research has led the CEG to link up with a further three Czech universities: The Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague (ICT), The Technical University of Liberec (TUL) and Masaryk University, Brno (MU) to create the underground laboratory necessary for targeted in-situ teaching on such issues for which the Josef UEF offers a uniquely suitable location.
The Inter-University Laboratory (MeziLab) is situated in the recently opened Mokrsko-west area of the Josef facility. Boreholes have already been drilled (Figure 4 - right) in the walls of the laboratory for highly specialized experimental and educational purposes.
The MeziLab pilot course, involving students and teachers from all the participating universities took place in May 2010. Regular teaching activities, including work on experimental bachelor and masters theses, will commence in the 2010/2011 academic year.
The Czech Technical University is represented in this project by two departments: The Centre of Experimental Geotechnics from the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) and the Department of Nuclear Chemistry (DNC) of the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (FNSPE). Students from the FCE will use the Josef laboratory as part of a number of courses concerning the experimental research of nuclear waste disposal while the DNC will use the in-situ laboratory for the study of migration processes through which it is expected that students will expand their knowledge concerning the fundamentals of the tracing of radioactivity in boreholes.
Figure 4: MeziLab; Borehole drilling
3.2 Projects
Over the past several years, CEG research projects have concentrated on radioactive waste disposal in deep underground repositories. The Czech repository concept assumes
Proceedings of the International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, Sept. 6-9, 2010
907.5
disposal in a deep geological formation (crystalline rock). It is expected that gases will eventually be created within the confines of the repository (e.g. caused by the corrosion of the waste containers which could lead to the formation of hydrogen). Such gases might absorb radionuclides from the waste and potentially, should there be leakage through the barriers, radioactivity could make its way into the geosphere. Therefore it is important to have an understanding of the gas transport properties of the host rock, a subject which has not been, to date, researched in depth. A significant part of the CEG’s work is currently focused on the measurement of the gas permeability of rock masses. Ongoing projects in that area are concerned with the study of gas transport through rock masses in the conditions expected in a deep underground repository for high-level radioactive waste.
Students are actively involved in projects as part of their course and/or bachelor and diploma theses. It is expected that such projects will further develop ongoing research on similar topics conducted at the CEG and the results will be used in the doctoral studies of a number of CEG staff members.
3.2.1 FORGE
FORGE (“Fate of Repository Gases”) is a pan-European project with links to international radioactive waste management organisations, regulators and academia, specifically designed to tackle the key research issues associated with the generation and movement of repository gases [3].
The project is concerned with the study of gas transport through rock masses in the conditions expected in a deep underground repository for high-level radioactive waste. The laws of gas transport through a discontinuity medium in the natural barrier have, to date, been relatively neglected in terms of their influence on the safe isolation of the waste. The CEG was fortunate in acquiring a unique set of apparatus (Figure 5) for the measurement of gas permeability in the natural barrier following the trial operation of which, underground at the Josef UEF, it has provided valuable in-situ data. The project involves research into rock mass gas permeability using both short- and long-term in-situ tests.
The objective of the research is to contribute towards the design of a safe and, at the same time, economically viable method for the isolation of radioactive waste which will satisfy the extreme demands set by deep repository disposal.
An important part of the FORGE project is training. Students employed by the CEG are actively involved in the project as part of their thesis work or the ERNW (Experimental Research on Nuclear Waste Disposal) course. The CEG will also provide experience for doctoral students working on the project and contribute towards post-graduate course components.
Figure 5: Set of apparatus for the measurement of gas permeability
Proceedings of the International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, Sept. 6-9, 2010
907.6
3.2.2 NORM
The NORM project (“Research into the Validity and Comparability of Norwegian Rock Mass Classification Systems for the Monitoring of Underground Gas Storage”) concerns the monitoring of rock gas permeability around underground disposal bins containing hazardous substances and gases, including CO2, an issue which still lacks a reliable solution.
One of the ways in which to research rock gas permeability is to use the Norwegian classification system that also assesses the rock massif on the basis of parameters characterizing discontinuity interfaces [4]. Such interfaces are essential for the monitoring of rock gas permeability.
The project includes a number of in-situ experiments to be performed at the Josef UEF. Experimental in-situ research is based on the pressurization of boreholes (gas injection measurements) and the investigation and monitoring of potential gas migration - both through discontinuity interfaces and through the tested rock. The equipment (Figure 5), specially designed for gas injection testing, consists of a probe, measurement apparatus, a gas reservoir and a compressor. The gas is injected into the borehole which is sealed by means of a “packer” system (Figure 6). The unique measuring apparatus (Figure 5 - left) is designed to function as a mobile measuring station and features gas pressure level control and the automatic registration of pressure, temperature and gas volume (Figure 7 - left).
The objective of the project is to find a mutual relationship (correlation, Figure 7 - right) between the gas permeability values established and the rock quality assessment using the Norwegian classification system which will subsequently serve as the basis for the design of an optimum monitoring system.
An important element of the project involves its connection with teaching. Students are involved in the project as part of their professional education; one diploma thesis has already been written using project data.
The results of this project will improve the safety and reduce the environmental impacts of underground gas storage and will also have important implications for the safety of a future deep geological repository for nuclear waste.
Figure 6: Scheme of the gas injection test
Proceedings of the International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, Sept. 6-9, 2010
Figure 7: Gas injection test; finding of correlation
4 CONCLUSION
The Josef UEF works on the open access principle in order to build confidence in sometimes controversial issues. The general public as well as the scientific community is encouraged to view the various experiments underway at the Josef facility either personally during published visiting hours or via the internet (http://ceg.fsv.cvut.cz/, http://www.uef-josef.eu/).
Apart from regular teaching and ongoing experiments, the efforts of the CEG’s staff are presently concentrated on the establishment of the Josef Regional Underground Research Centre (URC). It is intended that the research centre will enhance the activities of the existing Josef Underground Educational Facility and eventually become a truly unique establishment not only in terms of the Czech Republic, but also Europe. The principal mission of the Josef URC will be to provide teaching (expanded to include students of other universities and colleges), domestic and international research projects, training courses (including courses for the IAEA), requalification courses, marketing activities, expert services and accredited testing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank the European FORGE project which is funded by the European Commission (EC) as part of the seven EURATOM research and training Framework Programme (FP7) on nuclear energy. Work reported herein was also supported by the EEA/Norway Grants and the government of the Czech Republic, research sub-project NORM - A/CZ0046/2/0020. Their support is greatly appreciated.
REFERENCES
[1] Underground Research Facilities Network (URF) [online]. 2010 [cit. 2010-07-26]. International Atomic Energy Agency. Available from WWW: <http://www.iaea.org/OurWork/ST/NE/NEFW/wts_URF_homepage.html>.
[2] ENEN Association. European Nuclear Education Network [online]. 2010 [cit. 2010-07-26]. PETRUS II (FP7). Available from WWW: <http://www.enen-assoc.org/en/training/for-nuclear-community/efts-fp7/petrus.html>.
Proceedings of the International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, Sept. 6-9, 2010
[3] The British Geological Survey [online]. 2010 [cit. 2010-07-27]. FORGE - Fate Of Repository Gases. Available from WWW: <http://www.bgs.ac.uk/forge/home.html>.
[4] RockMass AS. RockMass [online]. 2010 [cit. 2010-07-27]. Available from WWW: <http://rockmass.net/page.php?31>.
Proceedings of the International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, Sept. 6-9, 2010
