Schematic designs for penetration seals for a repository in the Permian Basin. [Deaf Smith County, Texas]
The isolation of radioactive wastes in geologic repositories requires that human-made penetrations such as shafts, tunnels, or boreholes are adequately sealed. This report describes schematic seal designs for a repository in bedded salt referenced to the stratigraphy of the Permian Basin. The designs are presented for extensive peer review and will be updated as conceptual designs if the Permian Basin is selected as a candidate repository site. The principal material used in the seal system in the repository-level rooms and tunnels is crushed salt obtained from excavating the repository. It is anticipated that crushed salt will consolidate in response to closure of the repository rooms, to the degree that mechanical and hydrologic properties will eventually match those of undisturbed, intact salt. For Permian Basin Unit 4 salt, analyses indicate that this process will require approximately 700 years for a seal located at the base of one of the repository shafts (where there is little increase in temperature due to waste emplacement) and approximately 200 years for a seal located in a main passageway within the repository. These analyses are based on uncertain laboratory data regarding intact salt creep rates and crushed salt consolidation characteristics, and must be regarded as preliminary. Bulkheads composed of concrete, as well as bentonite-rich earth fill, are also included in the seal system as components which will have low permeability during the period required for salt consolidation.
- Research Organization:
- IT Corp., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10140
- OSTI ID:
- 6233643
- Report Number(s):
- BMI/ONWI-564; ON: DE86006937
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Schematic designs for penetration seals for a reference repository in bedded salt
Schematic designs for penetration seals for a repository in Richton Dome. [Richton Dome]
Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
CLOSURES
CREEP
DESIGN
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MANAGEMENT
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PERMIAN BASIN
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
SALT DEPOSITS
SHAFT EXCAVATIONS
TUNNELS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT