Pre-test simulations of laboratory-scale heater experiments in tuff. Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project
Laboratory-scale heater experiments are Proposed to observe thermohydrologic Processes in tuffaceous rock using existing equipment and x-ray imaging techniques. The purpose of the experiments is to gain understanding of the near-field behavior and thermodynamic environment surrounding a heat source. As a prelude to these experiments, numerical simulations are performed to determine design-related parameters such as optimal heating power and heating duration. In addition, the simulations aid in identifying and understanding thermal processes and mechanisms that may occur under a variety of experimental conditions. Results of the simulations show that convection may play an important role in the heat transfer and thermodynamic environment of the heater if the Rayleigh-Darcy number exceeds a critical value (= 10 for the laboratory experiments) depending on the type of backfill material within the annulus (or drift).
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 188503
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-95-1905; ON: DE96004952; TRN: 96:006358
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Sep 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Modeling hydrothermal flow in variably saturated, fractured, welded tuff during the prototype engineered barrier system field test of the Yucca Mountain Project
Modeling hydrothermal flow in variably saturated, fractured, welded tuff during the prototype engineered barrier system field test of the Yucca Mountain Project