THEREDA –Thermodynamic Reference Database for the Nuclear Waste Disposal in Germany

The disposal of nuclear waste including the assessment of long-term safety is still an open question in Germany. In addition to the still pending decision about the repository host rock (salt, granite, or clay) the basic necessity of a consistent and obligatory thermodynamic reference database persists. Such a database is essential to assess potential failure scenarios accurately and to make well-founded predictions about the long-term safety. Specific challenges are comprehensive datasets covering also high temperatures and salinities. Against this background, available databases do not suffice and are limited in their use, partly because of high restrictions and resulting incompleteness of reactions. Other databases rely on heterogeneous and therefore inconsistent data leading to incorrect model calculations. Due to these deficiencies THEREDA, a joint project of institutions leading in the field of safety research for nuclear waste disposal in Germany and Switzerland, was started in 2006.
THEREDA contains a relational databank whose structure has been designed in a way that promotes the internal consistency of thermodynamic data. Data considered cover the needs of Gibbs Energy Minimizers (ChemApp) and Law-of-Mass-Action programs (Geochemist’s Workbench, EQ3/6, PHREEQC) alike. Parameters for a variety of models describing interactions in mixed phases are included. Namely, the Pitzer parameters to describe activity coefficients of hydrated ions and molecules are considered. Both thermodynamic and interaction parameters can be described by temperature functions.
THEREDA offers evaluated thermodynamic data for many compounds (solid phases, aqueous species, or constituents of the gaseous phase) of elements relevant according to the present state of research. In particular, all oxidation states expected for disposal site conditions are covered.
Ready-to-use parameter files are created from the databank in a variety of formats (generic ASCII type, and formats required by the geochemical speciation codes) and offered to the users. They are also used for internal test calculations – one essential element of the quality assurance scheme. The results are documented and provided to the users.
THEREDA is accessible via internet through www.thereda.de. This is not only a portal to the database, but shall also serve as an information and discussion platform on issues concerning the database. Thus, we are confident to generate helpful feedback from the anticipated user community.