CAPILLARY BARRIERS IN UNSATURATED FRACTURED ROCKS

Wu, Y.S. ; Zhang, W. ; Pan, L. ; Hinds, J. ; Bodvarsson, G.

United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information.

关键词: Fractures;    Analytical Solution;    Fluid Flow;    Simulation;    Yucca Mountain;   

DOI  :  10.2172/860283
RP-ID  :  LBNL-46876
RP-ID  :  NA
RP-ID  :  860283

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

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.