CAPILLARY BARRIERS IN UNSATURATED FRACTURED ROCKS
This work presents modeling studies investigating the effects of capillary barriers on fluid-flow and tracer-transport processes in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, a potential site for storing high-level radioactive waste. These studies are designed to identify factors controlling the formation of capillary barriers and to estimate their effects on the extent of possible large-scale lateral flow in unsaturated fracture rocks. The modeling approach is based on a continuum formulation of coupled multiphase fluid and tracer transport through fractured porous rock. Flow processes in fractured porous rock are described using a dual-continuum concept. In addition, approximate analytical solutions are developed and used for assessing capillary-barrier effects in fractured rocks. This study indicates that under the current hydrogeologic conceptualization of Yucca Mountain, strong capillary-barrier effects exist for significantly diverting moisture flow.
- Research Organization:
- Office of Scientific and Technical Information, Oak Ridge, TN
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 860283
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-46876; MOL.20011015.0464 DC#28921
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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