A borehole instrumentation program for characterization of unsaturated-zone percolation

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:60944

Kume, J; Rousseau, J P ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)

A borehole instrumentation and monitoring program has been designed by the U.S. Geological Survey to support site characterization of unsaturated-zone percolation at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada. This program provides a means of defining the unsaturated-zone fluid flow (liquid and gas) potential field in a setting that incorporates large-scale stratigraphic and structural features, and the influences of geothermal heat flow and atmospheric pressure changes. Data derived from this program will be used to evaluate the suitability of Yucca Mountain as a mined geologic-repository for the storage of high-level, radioactive waste. These data include in-situ temperature, pneumatic pressure, and water potential. In addition, the instrumentation program provides facilities for gas-sampling, gas-tracer diffusion testing, water-injection testing, water-level monitoring, neutron moisture-meter monitoring, temperature profiling, and in-situ recalibration of the downhole sensors. The program included testing and development of: (1) precision sensors for measurement, (2) a downhole instrumentation-station-apparatus to hose the sensors, recalibrate sensors in-situ, and allow access to instrument stations for other testing purposes, and (3) surface-based support and instrumentation facilities.

• Research Organization: American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, NY (United States); American Nuclear Society, La Grange Park, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AI08-92NV10874
• OSTI ID: 60944
• Report Number(s): CONF-940553--Vol.4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
BOREHOLES
FLUID FLOW
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
PSYCHROMETRY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
THERMISTORS
TRANSDUCERS
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project