Summary of 1988 WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant) Facility horizon gas flow measurements
Numerous gas flow measurements have been made at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Facility horizon during 1988. All tests have been pressure decay or constant pressure tests from single boreholes drilled from the underground excavations. The test fluid has been nitrogen. The data have been interpreted as permeabilities and porosities by means of a transient numerical solution method. A closed-form steady-state approximation provides a reasonable order-of-magnitude permeability estimate. The effective resolution of the measurement system is less than 10{sup {minus}20} m{sup 2}. Results indicate that beyond 1 to 5 m from an excavation, the gas flow is very small and the corresponding permeability is below the system resolution. Within the first meter of an excavation, the interpreted permeabilities can be 5 orders of magnitude greater than the undisturbed or far-field permeability. The interpreted permeabilities in the region between the undisturbed region and the first meter from an excavation are in the range of 10{sup {minus}16} to 10{sup {minus}20} m{sup 2}. Measurable gas flow occurs to a greater depth into the roof above WIPP excavations of different sizes and ages than into the ribs and floor. The gas flows into the formation surrounding the smallest excavation tested are consistently lower than those at similar locations surrounding larger excavations of comparable age. Gas flow measured in the interbed layers near the WIPP excavations is highly variable. Generally, immediately above and below excavations, relatively large gas flow is measured in the interbed layers. These results are consistent with previous measurements and indicate a limited disturbed zone surrounding WIPP excavations. 31 refs., 99 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/RW
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6302872
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-89-2497; ON: DE91006099; TRN: 91-004758
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
RESERVOIR ROCK
PERMEABILITY
WIPP
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
GAS FLOW
MEASURING METHODS
NITROGEN
POROSITY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
SALT DEPOSITS
STRATIGRAPHY
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
ELEMENTS
FLUID FLOW
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage