Physical Modeling of Coupled Thermohydraulic Behavior of Compacted MX80 Bentonite during Heating

This paper describes a tank-scale test setup and experimental methodology used to investigate coupled heat transfer water flow processes during heating of compacted MX80 bentonite high temperatures. Specifically, temperature 200°C was maintained by cylindrical element at the center layer containing an array temperature, dielectric, relative humidity sensors. In addition providing evaluation spatiotemporal variations in humidity, degree saturation, global volume, thermohydraulic properties were assessed. A wetting front initially observed move away from central heater, followed drying process until reaching equilibrium. The soil–water retention curve (SWRC) scanning path before following primary exhibiting shift with elevated temperature. Results can be for validation numerical simulations engineered barrier system high-level radioactive waste geological disposal repository confirm that temperature-dependent hysteretic SWRC paths is required accurately capture response.