Double-Diffusive Natural Convection in a Nuclear Waste Repository

Abstract

In this study, we conduct a two-dimensional numerical analysis of double-diffusive natural convection in an emplacement drift for a nuclear waste repository. In-drift heat and moisture transport is driven by combined thermal- and compositional-induced buoyancy forces. Numerical results demonstrate buoyancy-driven convective flow patterns and configurations during both repository heatup and cooldown phases. It is also shown that boundary conditions, particularly on the drip-shield surface, have a strong impact on in-drift convective flow and transport.