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Title: Analyzing Unsatirated Flow Patterns in Fractured Rock Using an Integrated Modeling Approach

Abstract

Characterizing percolation patterns in unsaturated fractured rock has posed a greater challenge to modeling investigations than comparable saturated zone studies, because of the heterogeneous nature of unsaturated media and the great number of variables impacting unsaturated flow. This paper presents an integrated modeling methodology for quantitatively characterizing percolation patterns in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, a proposed underground repository site for storing high-level radioactive waste. The modeling approach integrates a wide variety of moisture, pneumatic, thermal, and isotopic geochemical field data into a comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model for modeling analyses. It takes into account the coupled processes of fluid and heat flow and chemical isotopic transport in Yucca Mountain's highly heterogeneous, unsaturated fractured tuffs. Modeling results are examined against different types of field-measured data and then used to evaluate different hydrogeological conceptualizations and their results of flow patterns in the unsaturated zone. In particular, this model provides a much clearer understanding of percolation patterns and flow behavior through the unsaturated zone, both crucial issues in assessing repository performance. The integrated approach for quantifying Yucca Mountain's flow system is demonstrated to provide a practical modeling tool for characterizing flow and transport processes in complex subsurface systems.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Yucca Mountain Project, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
894034
Report Number(s):
NA
MOL.20060825.0208, DC# 47406; TRN: US0700093
DOE Contract Number:  
NA
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; HEAT FLUX; HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES; MOISTURE; PERFORMANCE; SIMULATION; TRANSPORT; YUCCA MOUNTAIN

Citation Formats

Wu, Y S, Lu, G, Zhang, K, Pan, L, and Bodvarsson, G S. Analyzing Unsatirated Flow Patterns in Fractured Rock Using an Integrated Modeling Approach. United States: N. p., 2006. Web.
Wu, Y S, Lu, G, Zhang, K, Pan, L, & Bodvarsson, G S. Analyzing Unsatirated Flow Patterns in Fractured Rock Using an Integrated Modeling Approach. United States.
Wu, Y S, Lu, G, Zhang, K, Pan, L, and Bodvarsson, G S. 2006. "Analyzing Unsatirated Flow Patterns in Fractured Rock Using an Integrated Modeling Approach". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/894034.
@article{osti_894034,
title = {Analyzing Unsatirated Flow Patterns in Fractured Rock Using an Integrated Modeling Approach},
author = {Wu, Y S and Lu, G and Zhang, K and Pan, L and Bodvarsson, G S},
abstractNote = {Characterizing percolation patterns in unsaturated fractured rock has posed a greater challenge to modeling investigations than comparable saturated zone studies, because of the heterogeneous nature of unsaturated media and the great number of variables impacting unsaturated flow. This paper presents an integrated modeling methodology for quantitatively characterizing percolation patterns in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, a proposed underground repository site for storing high-level radioactive waste. The modeling approach integrates a wide variety of moisture, pneumatic, thermal, and isotopic geochemical field data into a comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model for modeling analyses. It takes into account the coupled processes of fluid and heat flow and chemical isotopic transport in Yucca Mountain's highly heterogeneous, unsaturated fractured tuffs. Modeling results are examined against different types of field-measured data and then used to evaluate different hydrogeological conceptualizations and their results of flow patterns in the unsaturated zone. In particular, this model provides a much clearer understanding of percolation patterns and flow behavior through the unsaturated zone, both crucial issues in assessing repository performance. The integrated approach for quantifying Yucca Mountain's flow system is demonstrated to provide a practical modeling tool for characterizing flow and transport processes in complex subsurface systems.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/894034}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Aug 03 00:00:00 EDT 2006},
month = {Thu Aug 03 00:00:00 EDT 2006}
}