Engineered materials as potential geocatalysts in deep geological nuclear waste repositories: A case study of the stainless steel catalytic effect on nitrate reduction by hydrogen

摘要

The reduction of NO3- in natural waters is commonly promoted by biological activity. In the context of deep geological nuclear waste repositories with potentially high H_2 pressure, abiotic redox reactions may be envisaged. Here, the catalytic effect of "inert" metallic surfaces, in part used for nuclear waste canisters, on NO3- reduction under H_2 pressure is evaluated. The study is focused on stainless steels by testing the 316L and Hastelloy C276 steels. A parametric kinetic study (0