Scoping model calculations of the reconsolidation of crushed salt in WIPP shafts. [Hand held computer code included]
Scoping model calculations show that crushed salt seal material can reconsolidate in a WIPP shaft to densities and permeabilities that are nearly equal to those for intact WIPP host rock salt. Crushed salt in the lower one-third of a WIPP shaft will meet our criterion of acceptability for shaft sealing in less than 200 years. The extent of expected reconsolidation was shown to be sensitive to the rates of brine inflow from overlying water bearing zones and from the WIPP host rock salt. Reconsolidation was also found to be sensitive to predictions of closure within our current range of uncertainty. Reconsolidation was found to be relatively insensitive to the initial void fraction within the practically achievable range (0.15 to 0.3) and to the time delay from shaft excavation to crushed salt emplacement. An effective upper shaft seal system is needed to protect the reconsolidating crushed salt from brine inflow for approximately 200 years. It is important for the evaluation of shaft seal performance to have more accurate, thoroughly tested models for brine influx from WIPP host rock and for shaft closure. 13 refs., 15 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6241389
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-0879; ON: DE87013413
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
BRINES
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MACHINE PARTS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PERMEABILITY
PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SALT DEPOSITS
SALTS
SEALS
SHAFTS
SIMULATION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WIPP