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2026 Vol.36, Issue 1 Preview Page

Original Article

Measurement and Analysis of Thermal Properties of Deep Granite in Korea for HLW Geological Disposal

고준위방사성폐기물 심층처분을 위한 국내 심부 화강암 열물성 특성 평가

Dae-Sung Cheon1
,
Jaewon Lee2
,
Sangbeen Lee3
,
Hyungchan Kim4
,
Junhyung Choi5
,
Ki Seog Kim6
,
Jongwon Jung7*
천 대성1
,
이 재원2
,
이 상빈3
,
김 형찬4
,
최 준형5
,
김 기석6
,
정 종원7*
1Principal Researcher, Deep Geological Disposal and Energy Storage Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
2Master’s Student, School of Civil engineering, Chungbuk National University
3Combined MD-Ph.D Student, School of Civil engineering, Chungbuk National University
4Principal Researcher, Groundwater Environment Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
5Senior Engineer, Deep Geological Disposal and Energy Storage Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
6CEO, Heesong Geotek, CO., LTD.
7Professor, School of Civil engineering, Chungbuk National University
1한국지질자원연구원 방폐물심층처분연구센터 책임연구원
2충북대학교 토목공학부 석사과정
3충북대학교 토목공학부 석박사통합과정
4한국지질자원연구원 지하수환경연구센터 책임연구원
5한국지질자원연구원 방폐물심층처분연구센터 선임연구원
6희송지오텍 대표이사
7충북대학교 토목공학부 교수
*Corresponding Author
28 February 2026. pp. 67-82
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Abstract

In South Korea, 79.6% of the storage capacity for High-radioactive waste (HLW) has been reached, with some nuclear power plants expected to face full saturation by the 2030s. Since HLW continuously emits heat and radiation over extended periods, deep disposal at depths of approximately 500 m is being considered as a viable solution. Consequently, it is essential to evaluate the thermal properties of the rock mass during the site selection process. However, there is a lack of measured data regarding the thermal properties of deep rock masses in South Korea. In this study, rock samples were obtained from boreholes drilled to depths of up to 750 m Namwon, Wonju, and Chuncheon, and their thermal properties were measured using Transient plane source method (TPS) and Laser flash method (LFA). The results indicated no significant trend in thermal conductivity with respect to depth; however, a proportional relationship between thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity was confirmed. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the mineral composition is a primary factor influencing the thermal conductivity of the rocks. These findings are expected to serve as foundational data for the future selection of deep disposal sites.

Keywords
High-radioactive waste
Deep disposal
Thermal property

현재 국내에서는 원자력 발전의 부산물인 고준위방사성폐기물 저장용량의 79.6%가 포화했으며 일부 원전은 2030년대에 포화가 예상된다. 고준위방사성폐기물은 장기간 열과 방사선을 방출하기 때문에 지하 500 m 내외의 암반층에 처분하는 심층 처분이 고려되고 있다. 따라서 부지 선정 과정에서 암반의 열물성을 고려할 필요가 있다. 하지만 국내에서는 심부 암반에 대해 열물성을 측정한 사례가 부족하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 화강암반에 있는 남원, 원주, 춘천에서 750 m까지 시추하여 확보한 암석을 TPS, LFA로 열물성을 측정하였다. 심도에 따른 열전도도 경향은 없었으며 열전도도와 열확산율 사이 비례 관계를 확인하였다. 그리고 XRD 분석을 통해 조암광물 함량비가 암석의 열전도도에 영향을 미치는 주요한 인자로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과는 향후 심층처분장 부지 선정 시 기초 자료로 활용될 것으로 기대된다.

키워드
고준위방사성폐기물
심층처분
화강암
열물성
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국암반공학회
  • Journal Title :Tunnel and Underground Space
  • Journal Title(Ko) :터널과 지하공간
  • Volume : 36
  • No :1
  • Pages :67-82
  • Received Date : 2026-01-30
  • Revised Date : 2026-02-23
  • Accepted Date : 2026-02-23
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7474/TUS.2026.36.1.067
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