Study on anisotropy of effective diffusion coefficient and activation energy for deuterated water in compacted sodium bentonite

To quantify the effects of temperature on the diffusivity of deuterated water (HDO) in compacted sodium bentonite, through-diffusion experiments were conducted at elevated temperatures ranging from 298 to 333 K. Kunipia F (Na-montmorillonite content>98 wt.%; Kunimine Industries) was compacted to a dry density of 0.9 or 1.35 Mg/m3. As montmorillonite particles were oriented perpendicular to the direction of compaction, the anisotropy of diffusivity was investigated both parallel and normal to the preferred orientation of the montmorillonite. The effective diffusion coefficient De of HDO was larger when the diffusional direction was parallel as opposed to normal to the preferred orientation for both dry densities. The magnitude of De and the anisotropy for HDO were in good accordance with previously reported results for tritiated water at room temperature. Activation energies of De were isotropic and increased with increasing dry density over the range of 19–25 kJ/mol. This relationship was considered to be due to both pore structure development and the high activation energy of water near the montmorillonite surface.