Representation of two-phase flow in the vicinity of the repository in the 1996 performance assessment for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Journal Article · Thu May 18 00:00:00 EDT 2000 · Reliability Engineering and System Safety (Special Journal Issue)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0951-8320(00)00033-8· OSTI ID:755474

VAUGHN, PALMER; BEAN, J E; HELTON, JON CRAIG; LORD, MICHAEL E; MACKINNON, ROBERT J; SCHREIBER, JAMES D

The following topics related to the representation of two-phase (gas and brine) flow in the vicinity of the repository in the 1996 performance assessment (PA) for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) are discussed: (1) system of nonlinear partial differential equations used to model two-phase flow, (2) incorporation of repository shafts into model (3) creep closure of repository. (4) interbed fracturing, (5) gas generation (6) capillary action in waste, (7) borebole model (8) numerical solution and (9) gas and brine flow across specified boundaries. Two-phase flow calculations are a central part of the 1996 WIPP PA and supply results that are subsequently used in the calculation of releases to the surface at the time of a drilling intrusion (i.e., spallings, direct brine releases) and long-term releases due to radionuclide transport by flowing groundwater.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 755474
• Report Number(s): SAND99-1884J; TRN: US0003607
• Journal Information: Reliability Engineering and System Safety (Special Journal Issue), Other Information: Submitted to Reliability Engineering and System Safety (Special Journal Issue); PBD: 18 May 2000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
WIPP
TWO-PHASE FLOW
PERFORMANCE
BRINES
GASES
FLOW MODELS
MINE SHAFTS
CREEP
RESERVOIR ROCK
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
CAPILLARY FLOW
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
BOREHOLES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
BRAGFLO
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE
REPOSITORY
TRANSURANIC WASTE
WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT