Re-evaluation of a subsurface injection experiment for testing flow and transport models
- Three Rivers Scientific, Richland, WA (United States)
- Hoquiam High School, Hoquiam, WA (United States)
The current preferred method for disposal of low-level radioactive waste (LLW) at the Hanford Site is to vitrify the wastes so they can be stored in a near-surface, shallow-land burial facility (Shord 1995). Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) managed the PNL Vitrification Technology Development (PVTD) Project to assist Westinghouse Hanford Company (WHC) in designing and assessing the performance of a disposal facility for the vitrified LLW. Vadose zone flow and transport models are recognized as necessary tools for baseline risk assessments of stored waste forms. The objective of the Controlled Field Testing task of the PVTD Project is to perform and analyze field experiments to demonstrate the appropriateness of conceptual models for the performance assessment. The most convincing way to demonstrate appropriateness is to show that the model can reproduce the movement of water and contaminants in the field. Before expensive new experiments are initiated, an injection experiment conducted at the Hanford Site in 1980 (designated the ``Sisson and the Lu experiment``) should be completely analyzed and understood. Briefly, in that test, a solution containing multiple tracers was injected at a single point into the subsurface sediments. The resulting spread of the water and tracers was monitored in wells surrounding the injection point. Given the advances in knowledge, computational capabilities, and models over the last 15 years, it is important to re-analyze the data before proceeding to other experiments and history-matching exercises.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 189113
- Report Number(s):
- PNL--10860; ON: DE96004611
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Estimation of natural ground water recharge for the performance assessment of a low-level waste disposal facility at the Hanford Site
A Vadose Zone Injection Experiment for Testing Flow and Transport Models
Near-Field Hydrology Data Package for the Immobilized Low-Activity Waste 2001 Performance Assessment
Technical Report
·
Tue Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1995
·
OSTI ID:46664
A Vadose Zone Injection Experiment for Testing Flow and Transport Models
Book
·
Thu Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 2000
·
OSTI ID:896783
Near-Field Hydrology Data Package for the Immobilized Low-Activity Waste 2001 Performance Assessment
Technical Report
·
Mon Dec 20 23:00:00 EST 1999
·
OSTI ID:15169