Value of abstraction in performance assessment – When is a higher level of detail necessary?

Journal Article · Sun Jul 21 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gete.2024.100577· OSTI ID:2477552

Frank, Tanja ^[1]; Becker, Dirk-Alexander ^[1]; Benbow, Steven ^[2]; Bond, Alexander ^[2]; Jayne, Richard ^[3]; LaForce, Tara ^[3]; Wolf, Jens ^[1]

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1. Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH, Braunschweig (Germany)
2. Quintessa, Warrington (United Kingdom)
3. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

In this study, different approaches in performance assessment (PA) of the long-term safety of a repository for radioactive waste were examined. This investigation was carried out as part of the DECOVALEX-2023 project, an international collaborative effort for research and model comparison. One specific task of the DECOVALEX-2023 project was the Salt Performance Assessment Modelling task (Salt PA), which aimed at comparing various models and methods employed in the performance assessment of deep geological repositories in salt. In the context of the Salt PA task, three distinct teams from SNL (United States), Quintessa Ltd (United Kingdom), and GRS (Germany) examined the consequences of employing different levels of abstractions when modelling the repository's geometry and implementing various features and processes, using the example of a simple hypothetical repository structure in domal salt. Each team applied their own tools: PFLOTRAN (SNL), QPAC (Quintessa) and LOPOS (GRS). These differ essentially regarding numerical concept and degree of detail in the representation of the underlying physical processes. The discussion focused on when simplifications can be appropriately applied and what consequences result from them. Furthermore, it was explored when and if a higher level of fidelity in geometry or physical processes is required.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 2477552
• Report Number(s): SAND--2024-15621J
• Journal Information: Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment, Journal Name: Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment Journal Issue: 2352-3808 Vol. 39; ISSN 2352-3808
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
Domal salt
Model uncertainty
Performance assessment
Radioactive waste disposal
Radionuclide transport simulation
Safety assessment