Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale

Chang, Kyung Won; Nole, Michael; Stein, Emily R.

doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104326

Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale

Journal Article · Wed Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Computers and Geotechnics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104326· OSTI ID:1810347

Chang, Kyung Won ^[1]; Nole, Michael ^[1]; Stein, Emily R. ^[1]

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Performance assessment (PA) of geologic radioactive waste repositories requires three-dimensional simulation of highly nonlinear, thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC), multiphase flow and transport processes across many kilometers and over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Integrating the effects of a near-field geomechanical process (i.e. buffer swelling) into coupled THC simulations through reduced-order modeling, rather than through fully coupled geomechanics, can reduce the dimensionality of the problem and improve computational efficiency. In this study, PFLOTRAN simulations model a single waste package in a shale host rock repository, where re-saturation of a bentonite buffer causes the buffer to swell and exert stress on a highly fractured disturbed rock zone (DRZ). Three types of stress-dependent permeability functions (exponential, modified cubic, and Two-part Hooke’s law models) are implemented to describe mechanical characteristics of the system. Overall, our modeling study suggests that compressing fractures reduces DRZ permeability, which could influence the rate of radionuclide transport and exchange with corrosive species in host rock groundwater that could accelerate waste package degradation. Less permeable shale host rock delays buffer swelling, consequently retarding DRZ permeability reduction as well as chemical transport within the barrier system.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 1810347

Report Number(s):: SAND--2021-8683J; 697170

Journal Information:: Computers and Geotechnics, Journal Name: Computers and Geotechnics Vol. 138; ISSN 0266-352X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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