NEUP CINR-21-24067: Development of Full Understanding of Mechanical-Chemical Coupling in Bentonite THMC processes

The central hypothesis is that mechanical stress in an engineered barrier can lead to pressure solution of solid minerals, leading to significant changes in pore water chemistry, which affects bentonite stability, longevity of the waste pack, and dissolution and migration of nuclides. The overall objective is to develop full understanding of the role of pressure solution on pore water chemistry (Aim R1) and the implications to large-scale heterogeneity (Aim R2) and THMC processes (Aim R3).

Additional Info

Field	Value
Awarded Institution	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
PI	Cheng Chen