Coupled fluid-flow modeling of brines flowing through deforming salt around the excavations for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), in the Permian Salado Formation
Small brine weeps have been observed on the exposed surfaces of the otherwise dry repository horizon excavations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Furthermore, it is known that creep of the surrounding salt will enhance permeabilities and porosities in the region encompassing the excavations, offering the potential for increased brine inflow. This study is part of an ongoing effort through the Brine Sampling and Evaluation Program (BSEP) to evaluate the coupled processes of salt creep and brine inflow. The previous phase of this project involved the development of a comprehensive mathematical formulation of multiphase (brine and nitrogen), temperature-dependent flow through deforming rock. Aspects of that formulation were employed in the current implementation of a salt-creep brine-inflow simulator. The coupled processes were investigated through the integration of a finite element rock mechanics code with a finite element groundwater flow code. Preliminary analyses applied to a hypothetical circular excavation showed the development of a zone of disturbed rock having enhanced permeability and porosity. This development was accompanied by the outward propagation of an unsaturated zone. For the excavation geometry considered, the development of this unsaturated zone appears to be primarily sensitive to strain rates. 16 refs., 4 figs.
- Research Organization:
- International Technology Corp., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-86AL31950
- OSTI ID:
- 5801421
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-900210-62; ON: DE91011485
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Brine Sampling and Evaluation Program: 1988 report
Brine Sampling and Evaluation Program, 1991 report
Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
BRINES
CREEP
DEFORMATION
EQUATIONS
EXCAVATION
FLOW MODELS
FLUID FLOW
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PERMEABILITY
PILOT PLANTS
POROSITY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
SALT DEPOSITS
STRESS ANALYSIS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WIPP