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Application of organic tracers in characterizing the greater confinement disposal test at the Nevada Test Site

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5904637
The Greater Confinement Disposal Test (GCDT) is a research project investigating the feasibility of augered-shaft disposal of low-level radioactive waste considered unsuitable for shallow land burial. Gaseous diffusion of radionuclides through alluvial sediments is considered the primary contaminant migration process. Volatile halocarbon tracers are released in the subsurface and their migration is monitored to determine media effective diffusion coefficients, tortuosity values, and sorption terms. Design and instrumentation of the emplacement and monitoring shafts of the disposal facility are detailed. Instrumentation includes a three-dimensional array of soil-air sample stations encircling the disposal waste. Recirculation flow lines minimize induced advection in the alluvial matrix due to tracer sample collection. 6 references, 5 figures, 2 tables.
Research Organization:
Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc., Las Vegas, NV (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-84NV10327
OSTI ID:
5904637
Report Number(s):
CONF-850314-3; ON: DE85007172
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English