Objective For the option of a deep geological disposal facility several potential sources of gases have been identified: i.e. the anaerobic corrosion of iron, degradation of organic materials, the gas present as such in the waste packages. Of those gases hydrogen is certainly the gas which can be released in the potentially largest amount. For the safety evaluation of a repository it is necessary to know the effects of gasses on the host rock.The primary objective of the MEGAS project is to understand the consequences of gas generation in a clay host rock. The final objective of this project will be to validate a gas migration model and to confirm our understanding using an in situ gas injection experiment.For the option of a deep geological repository for high level waste, several potential sources of gases were identified: the anaerobic corrosion of iron, degradation of organic materials, generation by gamma radiolysis and the gas present as such in the waste packages. Of those gases, hydrogen is certainly the gas which can be released in potentially the largest amount. For the safety evaluation of a repository it is necessary to know the effects of gases on the host rock.The primary objective of the MEGAS project is to understand the consequences of gas generation in a clay host rock. The final objective of this project is to validate a gas migration model and to confirm our understanding using an in situ gas injection experiment. Within MEGAS the following phenomena are studied: chemical reaction, diffusion, 2-phase flow and the creation of preferential pathways.Work programme: 1. Chemical reaction and diffusion experimentsThe reaction capacity of hydrogen with Boom clay observed in previous experiments will be further investigated by determining the intrinsic reaction rate, the reaction capacity and the diffusion coefficient.2. Geotechnical experiments: uniaxialIn these experiments the gas permeability (two-phase flow) and the gas breakthrough pressure will be determined.3. Geotechnical experiments: triaxialThe goal of these experiments will be to define the conditions under which preferential pathways for gas migration might develop and to examine bubble growth and migration. Triaxial experiments will also be performed at elevated temperature.4. In situ experimentsThese will be performed in the HADES underground research facility (Mol, Belgium).5. ModellingThe following approaches will be utilized: modelling the dynamics of bubble flow and modelling two phase flow. The laboratory experiments will be used to validate and, possibly, calibrate a basic two phase model. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesnuclear chemistryradiation chemistry Programme(s) FP2-RADWASTOM 4C - Specific research and technical development programme (Euratom) in the field of management and storage of radioactive waste, 1990-1994 Topic(s) A.4.2 - Research on gas flow Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator BELGIAN NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTRE EU contribution No data Address 200,Herrmann Debrouxlaan 40-42 1160 BRUXELLES Belgium See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Intera Information Technologies Ltd United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Chiltern House 45 Station Road RG9 1AT Henley-on-Thames See on map Total cost No data Ismes SpA Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Levata 24068 Seriate Bergamo See on map Total cost No data Natural Environment Research Council United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address NG12 5GG Nottingham See on map Total cost No data
