Non-equilibrium fluid flow around the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ., Prescott, AZ (United States). Dept. of Aerospace Engineering
The results of this study are consistent with the G-Tunnel test results, which indicated no water bank forming above the dry zone, and differ from the simulation results based on the equivalent continuum model (ECM), which indicated a water bank may form above the dry zone. The reason that the simulation studies predict the creation of a water bank is that the ECM assumes capillary equilibrium between the fractures and matrix. This study quantified the non-equilibrium fluid flow between the fractures and matrix and has shown that water entering the fractures above the dry zone will drain away from the repository before capillary equilibrium could be created. Thus, the ECM models are inappropriate for many studies of water transport around the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. It is noted that the authors of the ECM studies recognized this limitation and recommended that the more difficult non-equilibrium studies be conducted. It is concluded that a significant water bank above the repository from the redistribution of water from nuclear decay heating is unlikely. Thus, the integrity of the repository is not expected to-be threatened by rewetting of the formation from a water bank.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 514440
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-CR-124206; ON: DE97053418; TRN: 97:019311
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Aug 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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