Swelling ability and behaviour of bentonite-based materials for deep repository engineered barrier systems:Influence of physical,chemical and thermal factors

Compacted bentonite-sand(B/S)mixtures have been used as a barrier material in engineered barrier systems(EBSs)of deep geological repositories(DGR)to store nuclear wastes.This study investigates the individual and combined effects of different chemical compositions of deep groundwaters(chemical factor)at potential repository sites in Canada(the Trenton and Guelph regions in Ontario),heat generated in DGRs(thermal factor),dry densities and mass ratios of bentonite and sand mixtures(physical factors)on the swelling behavior and ability of bentonite-based materials.In this study,swelling tests are conducted on B/S mixtures with different B/S mix ratios(20/80 to 70/30),compacted at different dry densities(ρd=1.6-2 g/cm^(3)),saturated with different types of water(distilled water and simulated deep groundwater of Trenton and Guelph)and exposed to different temperatures(20℃-80℃).Moreover,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)analyses,mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)tests and X-ray diffractometry(XRD)analyses are carried out to evaluate the morphological,microstructural and mineralogical characteristics of the B/S mixtures.The test results indicate that the swelling potential of the B/S mixtures is significantly affected by these physical and chemical factors as well as the combined effects of the chemical and thermal factors.A significant decrease in the swelling capacity is observed when the B/S materials are exposed to the aforementioned groundwaters.A large decrease in the swelling capacity is observed for higher bentonite content in the mixtures.Moreover,higher temperatures intensify the chemically-induced reduction of the swelling capacity of the B/S barrier materials.This decrease in the swelling capacity is caused by the chemical and/or microstructural changes of the materials.The results from this research will help engineers to design and build EBSs for DGRs with similar groundwater and thermal conditions.

Acetylation of Starch Extracted from Rejected Fruits of <i>Musa ×paradisiaca L.</i>to Obtain a Pharmaceutical Disintegrant

There are many natural sources to obtain pharmaceutical grade starch, one of which is banana (Musa × paradisiaca L.);nevertheless, the use of native starch has certain disadvantages compared to modified starches, whose disintegrating properties are better. In this study, starch extracted from rejected fruits of Musa × paradisiaca L., was modified by acetylation, under the following optimized experimental conditions: 130 mL acetic anhydride, 3 mL sodium hydroxide 50% p/v for each 15 grams of native starch, at 123℃ during 3 hours. The reaction resulted in a modified green banana starch with twice as much swelling capacity compared to unmodified (native) starch;acetylation was verified by infrared spectroscopy and degree of substitution of acetyl groups by back titration. The dissolution profiles of Ibuprofen tablets made with banana modified starch and commercial disintegrant, have no differences according with their similarity factor, f2. It is concluded that it is feasible to use green banana starch modified through acetylation as a pharmaceutical disintegrant.