Abstract
Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes may raise the uncertainty of nuclide transport behavior in long-term operation of nuclear waste repository. A far-field modeling framework on nuclide transport around a nuclear waste repository under coupled THM conditions was developed and verified. Base on conceptual models of high-level waste repository in fractured rocks, a three-dimensional repository model including a vertical fault and a horizontal fracture was built, and influence of coupled THM processes on nuclide transport is numerically investigated. Effects of repository depth, fracture inclination, and internal aperture heterogeneity were investigated using the developed model. The results show that the coupled THM processes significantly affect nuclide transport behavior, especially in the early stages of nuclide leaching. The thermal stress induced by heat release of nuclear waste causes the reduction in fracture aperture around the repository. The nuclide transport under THM conditions is retarded before 103 years than that under hydraulic condition. The deeper locations of the candidate repository exhibit the lower rate of nuclide transport. The inclined fracture induces opposite flow directions between two fractures, which causes the delaying of nuclide transport. Fractures with heterogeneous apertures have preferential flow paths, which results in early arrivals of nuclide transport than fractures with homogenous apertures.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.