Limitations to the use of two-dimensional thermal modeling of a nuclear waste repository

Technical Report · Thu Jan 04 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6274837· OSTI ID:6274837

Davis, B W

Thermal modeling of a nuclear waste repository is basic to most waste management predictive models. It is important that the modeling techniques accurately determine the time-dependent temperature distribution of the waste emplacement media. Recent modeling studies show that the time-dependent temperature distribution can be accurately modeled in the far-field using a 2-dimensional (2-D) planar numerical model; however, the near-field cannot be modeled accurately enough by either 2-D axisymmetric or 2-D planar numerical models for repositories in salt. The accuracy limits of 2-D modeling were defined by comparing results from 3-dimensional (3-D) TRUMP modeling with results from both 2-D axisymmetric and 2-D planar. Both TRUMP and ADINAT were employed as modeling tools. Two-dimensional results from the finite element code, ADINAT were compared with 2-D results from the finite difference code, TRUMP; they showed almost perfect correspondence in the far-field. This result adds substantially to confidence in future use of ADINAT and its companion stress code ADINA for thermal stress analysis. ADINAT was found to be somewhat sensitive to time step and mesh aspect ratio. 13 figures, 4 tables.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6274837
• Report Number(s): UCID-18101
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
A CODES
COMPUTER CODES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GLASS
MANAGEMENT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SALT DEPOSITS
STORAGE
T CODES
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
TIME DEPENDENCE
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE