Temperature profile analysis for Amargosa Valley wells LWS-A, ASH-B, and MSH-C. DOE UGTA RI/FS geothermal gradient study results FY 1995

Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/125004· OSTI ID:125004

Gillespie, D

The purpose of this investigation is to estimate vertical fluid flux rates in saturated units penetrated by selected wells at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) using geothermal gradient data. Estimates of vertical fluid flux rates are critical in developing models for contaminate flow within, recharge potential to, and discharge from the groundwater system at the NTS. If temperature in the well is in equilibrium with the surrounding rocks, it is possible to detect the vertical flow of groundwater from the well`s thermal profile. Heat in the subsurface is transported by conduction through the rock and by advection caused by subsurface water movement. Units in which vertical flow is occurring will produce a curve in the thermal profile within the well. Prior to the implementation of the Underground Test Area Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (UGTA RI/FS), investigation of thermal data from wells at the NTS was hindered by the completion of wells as open holes or without casing cemented in place. The open-hole type of completion allows cross-flow within the wellbore which can yield information about relative pressures between connected aquifers, but which renders thermal gradient data essentially useless, or at best highly suspect for interpreting in situ groundwater movement. Wells recently completed in the Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Restoration (ER) Program have been completed with casing cemented to the surface (to prohibit cross-flow between units in the annular space between the casing and the wellbore) and with completion zones open to a single hydrologic horizon. This type of completion results in temperature gradient profiles more representative of actual thermal conditions in the units penetrated by the well. Results are presented of temperature profiles of 3 wells located in the Death Valley Groundwater Basin, outside the southern border of the NTS.

• Research Organization: University and Community Coll. System of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-95NV11508
• OSTI ID: 125004
• Report Number(s): DOE/NV/11508-T1; ON: DE96001995; BR: 35GB01040/400700000; TRN: AHC29528%%38
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: Sep 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
NEVADA TEST SITE
TEMPERATURE LOGGING
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
FLOW MODELS
GROUND WATER
PROGRESS REPORT
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
REMEDIAL ACTION
WELL COMPLETION
AQUIFERS
LITHOLOGY
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
WATER CHEMISTRY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA