Variation of permeability with temperature in fractured Topopah Spring tuff samples
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
Fractures will play an important role in the near-field hydrology of a nuclear-waste package in a mined repository. Our previous studies showed that the water permeability of fractured Topopah Springs tuff samples decreased by more than three orders of magnitude when the sample`s temperature (in the case of a sample under a thermal gradient, the temperature in the hottest zone) increased to 150{degrees}C at a constant confining pressure of 5 MPa. When the fractured tuff samples were returned to room temperature the water permeability did not recover. We attributed the permeability decrease to smoothing of the asperities on the fracture surfaces, which has caused by the dissolution and redeposition of silica minerals as water flowed through the sample. Water permeability of an intact tuff sample did not change significantly under similar experimental conditions.
- Research Organization:
- American Nuclear Society (ANS), La Grange Park, IL (United States); American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), New York, NY (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 145620
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-910435-Vol.2; TRN: 94:024176
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. annual American Nuclear Society (ANS) international high level radioactive waste management conference, Las Vegas, NV (United States), 28 Apr - 3 May 1991; Other Information: PBD: 1991; Related Information: Is Part Of High Level Radioactive Waste Management. Proceedings, Volume 2; PB: 895 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Laboratory study of fracture healing in Topopah Spring tuff: Implications for near field hydrology
Transport properties of Topopah Spring tuff