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U.S. Department of Energy
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Expected brine movement at potential nuclear waste repository salt sites

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5999416· OSTI ID:5999416
The BRINEMIG brine migration code predicts rates and quantities of brine migration to a waste package emplaced in a high-level nuclear waste repository in salt. The BRINEMIG code is an explicit time-marching finite-difference code that solves a mass balance equation and uses the Jenks equation to predict velocities of brine migration. Predictions were made for the seven potentially acceptable salt sites under consideration as locations for the first US high-level nuclear waste repository. Predicted total quantities of accumulated brine were on the order of 1 m/sup 3/ brine per waste package or less. Less brine accumulation is expected at domal salt sites because of the lower initial moisture contents relative to bedded salt sites. Less total accumulation of brine is predicted for spent fuel than for commercial high-level waste because of the lower temperatures generated by spent fuel. 11 refs., 36 figs., 29 tabs.
Research Organization:
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, OH (USA). Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-83CH10140
OSTI ID:
5999416
Report Number(s):
BMI/ONWI-654; ON: DE87014334
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English