Permeability changes in Boom clay with temperature

TL;DR

This study investigates how temperature affects the permeability of Boom clay, revealing that permeability changes are primarily due to water viscosity variations, with minimal impact on adsorbed water properties.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence that permeability changes in Boom clay with temperature are mainly caused by water viscosity, enhancing understanding for radioactive waste disposal safety.

Findings

Permeability increases with temperature due to water viscosity changes.

Adsorbed water properties remain largely unaffected between 20 and 90°C.

Permeability is primarily influenced by free water viscosity, not clay structure.

Abstract

In the framework of research into radioactive waste disposal, this paper presents some tests carried out to investigate the effects of temperature on the changes in permeability of Boom between 20 and 90 deg C. Constant head permeability tests were carried out in a high pressure isotropic compression tests at various temperature and isotropic stresses. The results show that the changes in permeability of Boom clay with temperature are only due to the changes in viscosity of free water with temperaure. This demonstrates on the one hand that the water involved in transfer at various temperatures is free water and on the other hand that there is apparently only few changes in the status of adsorbed water with respect to temperature between 20 and 90 deg C.