Numerical simulation of ground-water flow in the Culebra dolomite at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site: Second interim report

Technical Report · Mon Feb 29 23:00:00 EST 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6967940· OSTI ID:6967940

LaVenue, A M; Haug, A; Kelley, V A

This hydrogeologic modeling study has been performed as part of the regional hydrologic characterization of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Site in southeastern New Mexico. The study resulted in an estimation of the transmissivity distrubution, hydraulic potentials, flow field, and fluid densities in the Culebra Dolomite Member of the Permian Rustler Formation at the WIPP site. The three-dimensional finite-difference code SWIFT-II was employed for the numerical modeling, using variable-fluid-density and a single-porosity formulation. The modeled area includes and extends beyond the WIPP controlled zone (Zone 3). The work performed consisted of modeling the hydrogeology of the Culebra using two approaches: (1) steady-state modeling to develop the best estimate of the undisturbed head distribution, i.e., of the situation before sinking if the WIPP shafts, which began in 1981; and (2) superimposed transient modeling of local hydrologic responses to excavation of the three WIPP shafts at the center of the WIPP site, as well as to various well tests. Boundary conditions (prescribed constant fluid pressures and densities) were estimated using hydraulic-head and fluid-density data obtained from about 40 wells at and near the WIPP site. The transient modeling used the calculated steady-state freshwater heads as initial conditions. 107 refs., 112 figs., 22 tabs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Intera Technologies, Inc., Austin, TX (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6967940
• Report Number(s): SAND-88-7002; ON: DE88009795
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CALCIUM CARBONATES
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FLOW MODELS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
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GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
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ITERATIVE METHODS
MAGNESIUM CARBONATES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
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MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
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NORTH AMERICA
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NUMERICAL SOLUTION
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US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
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WASTE DISPOSAL
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WASTES
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