Regional double-porosity solute transport in the Culebra dolomite: An analysis of parameter sensitivity and importance at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site
A high-transmissivity fracture-controlled path is assumed, for modeling purposes, to provide the means for transport of infinitely long-lived radionuclides through the Culebra dolomite to the accessible environment at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site, following a breach which does not disturb the existing head potentials within the unit. Both matrix diffusion and sorption retard the transport. Parameter ranges and base-case values depict the uncertain properties of the Culebra while simulations with SWIFT II exhibit the corresponding ranges in travel time, the performance measure adopted for this report. Consistent with the paucity of the double-porosity data base, model assumptions are kept simple and parameter ranges relatively large. Thus, computed travel times may be unrealistic and should not be quoted apart from the model assumptions. Computed parameter sensitivities and estimated parameter importance, however, should provide valuable guidance to the current site-characterization program at the WIPP site. The report demonstrates the importance of the rate of fluid flow within the fractures and the relative capacity of the rock matrix for the retention of radioactive contaminants. It also demonstrates the relative unimportance of some of the matrix kinetic parameters which relate to the matrix-diffusion time. 53 refs., 46 figs., 15 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Intera Technologies, Inc., Austin, TX (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5597894
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-7105; ON: DE88004730
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DOLOMITE
FLOW RATE
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GROUND WATER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEW MEXICO
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
S CODES
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
WIPP
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
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CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
COMPUTER CODES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION VI
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM CARBONATES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SIMULATION
SURFACE PROPERTIES
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
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WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
510300 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)