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Title: Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale

Abstract

Performance assessment (PA) of geologic radioactive waste repositories requires three-dimensional simulation of highly nonlinear, thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC), multiphase flow and transport processes across many kilometers and over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Integrating the effects of a near-field geomechanical process (i.e. buffer swelling) into coupled THC simulations through reduced-order modeling, rather than through fully coupled geomechanics, can reduce the dimensionality of the problem and improve computational efficiency. In this study, PFLOTRAN simulations model a single waste package in a shale host rock repository, where re-saturation of a bentonite buffer causes the buffer to swell and exert stress on a highly fractured disturbed rock zone (DRZ). Three types of stress-dependent permeability functions (exponential, modified cubic, and Two-part Hooke’s law models) are implemented to describe mechanical characteristics of the system. Overall, our modeling study suggests that compressing fractures reduces DRZ permeability, which could influence the rate of radionuclide transport and exchange with corrosive species in host rock groundwater that could accelerate waste package degradation. Less permeable shale host rock delays buffer swelling, consequently retarding DRZ permeability reduction as well as chemical transport within the barrier system.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
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  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1810347
Report Number(s):
SAND-2021-8683J
Journal ID: ISSN 0266-352X; 697170; TRN: US2213026
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Computers and Geotechnics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 138; Journal ID: ISSN 0266-352X
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; nuclear waste repository; THMC coupling; buffer swelling; shale; PFLOTRAN

Citation Formats

Chang, Kyung Won, Nole, Michael, and Stein, Emily R. Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale. United States: N. p., 2021. Web. doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104326.
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Chang, Kyung Won, Nole, Michael, & Stein, Emily R. Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104326
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Chang, Kyung Won, Nole, Michael, and Stein, Emily R. Wed . "Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104326. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1810347.
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@article{osti_1810347,
title = {Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale},
author = {Chang, Kyung Won and Nole, Michael and Stein, Emily R.},
abstractNote = {Performance assessment (PA) of geologic radioactive waste repositories requires three-dimensional simulation of highly nonlinear, thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC), multiphase flow and transport processes across many kilometers and over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Integrating the effects of a near-field geomechanical process (i.e. buffer swelling) into coupled THC simulations through reduced-order modeling, rather than through fully coupled geomechanics, can reduce the dimensionality of the problem and improve computational efficiency. In this study, PFLOTRAN simulations model a single waste package in a shale host rock repository, where re-saturation of a bentonite buffer causes the buffer to swell and exert stress on a highly fractured disturbed rock zone (DRZ). Three types of stress-dependent permeability functions (exponential, modified cubic, and Two-part Hooke’s law models) are implemented to describe mechanical characteristics of the system. Overall, our modeling study suggests that compressing fractures reduces DRZ permeability, which could influence the rate of radionuclide transport and exchange with corrosive species in host rock groundwater that could accelerate waste package degradation. Less permeable shale host rock delays buffer swelling, consequently retarding DRZ permeability reduction as well as chemical transport within the barrier system.},
doi = {10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104326},
journal = {Computers and Geotechnics},
number = ,
volume = 138,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2021},
month = {Wed Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2021}
}
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104326
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