This laboratory is completely equipped for the physical, chemical and geochemical characterisation of bentonites, clay rocks and cements, and for the analysis of the pore water chemistry from consolidated and compacted materials. This characterisation provides important information for the mechanistic interpretation of RN retention/migration processes and their upscaling, as well as on the properties and long-term behaviour of different types of barrier materials.
It is equipped with:
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (Far-, Mid-, Near-FTIR);
- Transmission, Attenuated total reflection (ATR) and Diffuse Reflectance (DRIFTS) infrared spectroscopy;
- UV-Vis spectroscopy;
- Thermo gravimetric analysis (TG-DSC);
- Glove box (N2 atmosphere) for tests under controlled atmospheric conditions;
- Automatic titrators;
- Hydraulic presses and High-pressure squeezers (up to 800 MPa).
The Porewater and Clay Minerals Characterisation Laboratory has been carrying out technical services for different international organisations, (see Services and Facilities). The capability of the laboratory that can be offered as technical service are described here.
