Numerical modeling of the thermal and hydrological environment around a nuclear waste package using the equivalent continuum approximation: Horizontal emplacement

Technical Report · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/60657· OSTI ID:60657

Nitao, J J

In support of the investigations for an underground high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, we have performed computer simulations of the immediate thermal and hydrological environment around a nuclear waste package. Calculations of this type will be needed for waste package design, performance assessment, and radionuclide transport analyses. Two dimensional computer simulations using a modified version of the TOUGH code were run for an idealized configuration derived from the COVE3 benchmarking effort consisting of a single spent fuel waste package with laterally periodic boundary conditions. The model domain extended downward to the water table and upward to the ground level. Fluid behavior in the rock was modeled using the equivalent continuum approximation. Runs were made with surface water influx rates at the surface set to 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mm/yr. A significant amount of code modification and development was needed in order to develop the capability to run these types of problems out to the long time spans required. 26 refs., 59 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 60657
• Report Number(s): UCID-21444; ON: DE89006802
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: May 1988
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
HYDROLOGY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
THERMAL ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
NEVADA
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
T CODES
C CODES
GROUND WATER
SURFACE WATERS
Yucca Mountain Project