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Title: Calibration of Yucca Mountain unsaturated zone flow and transport model using porewater chloride data

Abstract

In this study, porewater chloride data from Yucca Mountain, Nevada, are analyzed and modeled by 3-D chemical transport simulations and analytical methods. The simulation modeling approach is based on a continuum formulation of coupled multiphase fluid flow and tracer transport processes through fractured porous rock, using a dual-continuum concept. Infiltration-rate calibrations were using the pore water chloride data. Model results of chloride distributions were improved in matching the observed data with the calibrated infiltration rates. Statistical analyses of the frequency distribution for overall percolation fluxes and chloride concentration in the unsaturated zone system demonstrate that the use of the calibrated infiltration rates had insignificant effect on the distribution of simulated percolation fluxes but significantly changed the predicated distribution of simulated chloride concentrations. An analytical method was also applied to model transient chloride transport. The method was verified by 3-D simulation results as able to capture major chemical transient behavior and trends. Effects of lateral flow in the Paintbrush nonwelded unit on percolation fluxes and chloride distribution were studied by 3-D simulations with increased horizontal permeability. The combined results from these model calibrations furnish important information for the UZ model studies, contributing to performance assessment of the potential repository.

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Office (US)
OSTI Identifier:
840320
Report Number(s):
LBNL-49871
R&D Project: 81BB11; TRN: US0501961
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-76SF00098
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 62-63; Journal Issue: SI; Other Information: Submitted to Journal of Contaminant Hydrology: Volume 62-63, Special Issue; Journal Publication Date: 04-05/2003; PBD: 1 Sep 2002
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; 58 GEOSCIENCES; CALIBRATION; CHLORIDES; DISTRIBUTION; FLUID FLOW; NEVADA; PERFORMANCE; PERMEABILITY; SIMULATION; TRANSIENTS; TRANSPORT; WATER; YUCCA MOUNTAIN; CHLORIDE UNSATURATED ZONE YUCCA MOUNTAIN GEOCHEMISTRY INFILTRATION MAP PERCOLATION.

Citation Formats

Liu, Jianchun, Sonnenthal, Eric L, and Bodvarsson, Gudmundur S. Calibration of Yucca Mountain unsaturated zone flow and transport model using porewater chloride data. United States: N. p., 2002. Web.
Liu, Jianchun, Sonnenthal, Eric L, & Bodvarsson, Gudmundur S. Calibration of Yucca Mountain unsaturated zone flow and transport model using porewater chloride data. United States.
Liu, Jianchun, Sonnenthal, Eric L, and Bodvarsson, Gudmundur S. 2002. "Calibration of Yucca Mountain unsaturated zone flow and transport model using porewater chloride data". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/840320.
@article{osti_840320,
title = {Calibration of Yucca Mountain unsaturated zone flow and transport model using porewater chloride data},
author = {Liu, Jianchun and Sonnenthal, Eric L and Bodvarsson, Gudmundur S},
abstractNote = {In this study, porewater chloride data from Yucca Mountain, Nevada, are analyzed and modeled by 3-D chemical transport simulations and analytical methods. The simulation modeling approach is based on a continuum formulation of coupled multiphase fluid flow and tracer transport processes through fractured porous rock, using a dual-continuum concept. Infiltration-rate calibrations were using the pore water chloride data. Model results of chloride distributions were improved in matching the observed data with the calibrated infiltration rates. Statistical analyses of the frequency distribution for overall percolation fluxes and chloride concentration in the unsaturated zone system demonstrate that the use of the calibrated infiltration rates had insignificant effect on the distribution of simulated percolation fluxes but significantly changed the predicated distribution of simulated chloride concentrations. An analytical method was also applied to model transient chloride transport. The method was verified by 3-D simulation results as able to capture major chemical transient behavior and trends. Effects of lateral flow in the Paintbrush nonwelded unit on percolation fluxes and chloride distribution were studied by 3-D simulations with increased horizontal permeability. The combined results from these model calibrations furnish important information for the UZ model studies, contributing to performance assessment of the potential repository.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/840320}, journal = {Journal of Contaminant Hydrology},
number = SI,
volume = 62-63,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2002},
month = {Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2002}
}