Wall friction measurement and compaction characteristics of bentonite powders

This paper presents a new method (referred to as direct method) for measuring wall friction during powder compaction and ejection. The accuracy for wall friction force measurement by both new and conventional methods (referred to as indirect method) were first studied according to the theory of error propagation. The error sources for compact density measurement in both methods were also examined. Based on the accuracy in the measurement of wall friction force and compact density, the direct method is compared favorably to the indirect method. Two bentonites, Black Hills bentonite and Zhi-Hsing bentonite which were considered as the candidate buffer materials for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive wastes were adopted to conduct a series of compaction and ejection tests. The compaction characteristics of bentonite blocks were expressed in terms of compressibility curve, wall friction ratio and friction index. The Gurnhamʹs equation was used to describe the compressibility curve. The effects of the aspect ratio of block on the friction ratio and friction index are discussed from both experimental and theoretical point of views. Ejection profiles of the compacted bentonite blocks during ejection phase were presented. The proposed measuring method is validated by comparing the readings of ejection force recorded by both upper load cell and ring-type load cell.