Drift Scale Test Research Articles

Seismic modeling and analysis of a prototype heated nuclear waste storage tunnel, Yucca Mountain, Nevada

We have developed seismic velocity models for the heated rock surrounding a tunnel in Yucca Mountain tuff and compared the results with field data obtained at the Yucca Mountain drift scale test (DST) facility from 1998 to 2002. During that time, the tunnel was heated to replicate the effects of long-term storage of decaying nuclear waste and to study the effects of extreme temperatures on the surrounding rock and groundwater flow. Our velocity models are based on borehole temperature data, thermal models, and laboratory measurements on granite. Comparisons between field and synthetic seismograms show that superheating the rock around the tunnel causes thermally induced variations in P- and S-wave arrival-time separation. Barring out-of-plane reflections, 2D spectral element waveform modeling in the source plane consistently replicates seismic receiver waveforms and classic behavior of pulses reflected from cylinders. Our models constrain the in situ [Formula: see text] velocity/temperature derivative of the tuff to be approximately [Formula: see text] per [Formula: see text]. This velocity change is consistent with thermally induced wavespeed changes in dry rock samples and is lower than expected for water-to-steam conversion in saturated rock. We infer that velocity changes are controlled by thermal expansion and fracturing. Additionally, we have developed an improved method for monitoring tunnel conditions that uses waves diffracted around the tunnel in the region of changing velocity.

Modeling Thermal-Hydrologic Processes for a Heated Fractured Rock System: Impact of a Capillary-Pressure Maximum

Various thermal-hydrologic models have been developed to simulate thermal-hydrologic conditions in emplacement drifts and surrounding host rock for the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The modeling involves two-phase (liquid and gas) and two-component (water and air) transport in a fractured-rock system, which is conceptualized as a dual-permeability medium. Simulated hydrologic processes depend upon calibrated system parameters, such as the van Genuchten α and m, which quantify the capillary properties of the fractures and rock matrix. Typically, these parameters are not calibrated for strongly heat-driven conditions, i.e., conditions for which boiling and rock dryout occur. The objective of this study is to modify the relationship between capillary pressure and saturation, P c(S), for strongly heated conditions that drive saturation below the residual saturation (S → 0). We offer various extensions to the van Genuchten capillary-pressure function and compare results from a thermal-hydrologic model with data collected during the Drift-Scale Test, an in situ thermal test at Yucca Mountain, to investigate the suitability of these various P c extension methods. The study suggests that the use of extension methods and the imposition of a capillary-pressure cap (or maximum) improve the agreement between Drift-Scale Test data and model results for strongly heat-driven conditions. However, for thermal-hydrologic models of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, temperature and relative humidity are insensitive to the choice of extension method for the capillary-pressure function. Therefore, the choice of extension method applied to models of drift-scale thermal-hydrologic behavior at Yucca Mountain can be made on the basis of numerical performance.

Analysis of thermally induced changes in fractured rock permeability during 8 years of heating and cooling at the Yucca Mountain Drift Scale Test

We analyzed a data set of thermally induced changes in fractured rock permeability during a 4-year heating (up to 200 °C) and subsequent 4-year cooling of a large volume, partially saturated and highly fractured volcanic tuff at the Yucca Mountain Drift Scale Test, Nevada, USA. Permeability estimates were derived from about 700 pneumatic (air-injection) tests, taken periodically at 44 packed-off borehole intervals during the heating and cooling cycle from November 1997 through November 2005. We analyzed air-permeability data by numerical modeling of thermally induced stress and moisture movements and their impact on air permeability within the highly fractured rock. Our analysis shows that changes in air permeability during the initial 4-year heating period, which were limited to about one order of magnitude, were caused by the combined effects of thermal-mechanically induced stress on fracture aperture and thermal-hydrologically induced changes in fracture moisture content. At the end of the subsequent 4-year cooling period, air-permeability decreases (to as low as 0.2 of initial) and increases (to as high as 1.8 of initial) were observed. By comparison to the calculated thermo-hydro-elastic model results, we identified these remaining increases or decreases in air permeability as irreversible changes in intrinsic fracture permeability, consistent with either inelastic fracture shear dilation (where permeability increased) or inelastic fracture surface-asperity shortening (where permeability decreased). In this paper, we discuss the possibility that such fracture asperity shortening and associated decrease in fracture permeability might be enhanced by dissolution of highly stressed surface asperities over years of elevated stress and temperature.

Estimation of field‐scale thermal conductivities of unsaturated rocks from in situ temperature data

A general approach is presented here that allows estimation of field‐scale thermal properties of unsaturated rock using temperature data collected from in situ heater tests. The approach is used to determine the thermal conductivities of the host rock of the Drift Scale Test (DST) at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The DST was designed to obtain thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical (THMC) data at Yucca Mountain. Sophisticated numerical models have been developed to analyze these THMC data. However, though the objective of those models was to analyze “field‐scale” (of the order of tens of meters) THMC data, thermal conductivities measured from “laboratory‐scale” core samples have been used as input parameters. While using laboratory‐scale thermal conductivity values in field‐scale models can be justified, such applications introduce uncertainties in model predictions. Temperature data from the DST provide an opportunity to resolve some of these uncertainties. These temperature data can be used to estimate the thermal conductivity of the DST rock, and given the large volume of rock affected by heating at the DST, such an estimate will be a reliable thermal conductivity value for field‐scale application. An analytical solution is developed for the temperature rise in the DST rock; and using a nonlinear fitting routine, a best fit estimate of field‐scale thermal conductivity is obtained. Temperature data from the DST show evidence of a below‐boiling zone (wet) and an above‐boiling zone (dry). Estimates of thermal conductivity for both these zones are obtained in this paper. Sensitivity of these estimates to the input heating power is also investigated. The estimated thermal conductivity values are compared with core measurements and those estimated from geostatistical simulations.

Approaches to modeling coupled thermal, hydrological, and chemical processes in the drift scale heater test at Yucca Mountain

Abstract A large-scale underground thermal test (Drift Scale Test–DST) in fractured volcanic tuff resulted in changes to water and gas chemistry as well as mineral precipitation and dissolution in fractures. Thermal, hydrological, and chemical (THC) processes in the DST were modeled by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory “LBNL” and Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute “JNC” as part of the international working group DECOVALEX. Predictions of THC processes in the DST for the 4-year heating and 4-year cooling periods were initially performed by the LBNL group, with the current model reflecting a revised heater operation history and model. JNC used primarily the original data from the prediction and created a new model to evaluate a selected set of data. The approaches taken by the groups differed in several ways and a comparison of the methodologies and results of the simulations allow for a better understanding of modeling coupled processes in unsaturated fractured rock. The LBNL model represented the fractures and rock matrix as a fully interacting dual-continuum (in terms of fluid, heat, and chemical transport) with the local mineral–water–gas reactions treated by kinetic and equilibrium reactions. The JNC model represented the fractures and matrix as a single effective continuum, with equilibrium mineral-water reactions controlling the chemical evolution. Both models considered aqueous species transport, with gas phase CO 2 transport only considered in the LBNL model. Comparisons to data collected from the DST illustrate the behavior of the models and their ability to capture the relevant THC processes. Overall, both models capture the temperature evolution in the rock quite closely, although the JNC model gave a closer match to the initial temperature rise in the rock, likely owing to the use of site-specific thermal data as opposed to average properties used for the LBNL model. Both models showed the contrasting solubility effects of increasing temperature on calcite and silica solubility; yet the dual-continuum approach better represented the effects of boiling and condensation on aqueous species chemistry and the distribution of mineral precipitation.

The DECOVALEX III project: A summary of activities and lessons learned

Initiated in 1992, the DECOVALEX project is an international collaboration for advancing the understanding and modeling of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes in geologic systems. The project has made important scientific achievements through three stages and is progressing in its fourth stage. It has played a key role in the development of mathematical modeling and in situ testing of coupled THM processes in fractured rock and buffer/backfill materials, a subject of importance for performance assessment of radioactive waste geologic repositories. This paper summarizes studies under the most recent stage of the project, DECOVALEX III (2000-2003). These studies include those of two major field experiments: (a) the FEBEX experiment at Grimsel, Switzerland, investigating coupled THM processes in a crystalline rock-bentonite system, and (b) the Drift Scale Test (DST) experiment at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, investigating coupled THM processes in unsaturated tuff. These are two of the largest multiyear heater tests undertaken to date for the study of coupled THM processes in geological systems. In addition, three so-called benchmark tests are also studied to evaluate the impact of coupled THM processes under different scenarios and geometries. Within the DECOVALEX project, multiple research teams participated in each of the studies, using different approaches and computer codes. Comparisons of results have provided insight into coupled THM processes, which in turn has stimulated further development of our modeling capabilities. Lessons learned from these studies are discussed. The scientific advances and enhanced insight gained through this kind of international cooperation illustrate the effectiveness of the DECOVALEX project.

Coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical analyses of the Yucca Mountain Drift Scale Test—Comparison of field measurements to predictions of four different numerical models

Abstract The Yucca Mountain Drift Scale Test (DST) is a multiyear, large-scale underground heating test designed to study coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical behavior in unsaturated fractured and welded tuff. As part of the international cooperative code-comparison project DEvelopment of COupled models and their VALidation against EXperiments, four research teams used four different numerical models to simulate and predict coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical (THM) processes at the DST. The simulated processes included heat transfer, liquid and vapor water movements, rock-mass stress and displacement, and stress-induced changes in fracture permeability. Model predictions were evaluated by comparison to measurements of temperature, water saturation, displacement, and air permeability. The generally good agreement between simulated and measured THM data shows that adopted continuum model approaches are adequate for simulating relevant coupled THM processes at the DST. Moreover, thermal-mechanically induced rock-mass deformations were reasonably well predicted using elastic models, although some individual displacements appeared to be better captured using an elasto-plastic model. It is concluded that fracture closure/opening caused by change in normal stress across fractures is the dominant mechanism for thermal-stress-induced changes in intrinsic fracture permeability at the DST, whereas fracture shear dilation appears to be less significant. This indicates that such changes in intrinsic permeability at the DST, which are within one order of magnitude, are likely to be mostly reversible.

Double structure THM analyses of a heating test in a fractured tuff incorporating intrinsic permeability variations

This paper presents thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) analyses simulating the Drift Scale Test (DST) performed at Yucca Mountain. A double structure approach based on two superimposed domains is adopted. Intrinsic permeability changes with deformations imply full THM coupling . Temperatures and gas permeabilities were measured during 4 years and are used to validate the model. Measured gas permeability variations show patterns that are successfully explained by the model calculations. These gas permeability variations may be attributed to thermo-hydraulic effects, and also to mechanical effects. Different cases of intrinsic permeability variations have been considered in the model and their influence on the calculated temperatures, degree of saturations and gas permeabilities are presented. Volumetric deformation, in contraction or dilatancy , implies changes in the aperture of rock fractures that in turn lead to changes in intrinsic permeability. Dilatancy, caused by shear stresses, increases intrinsic permeability. Consideration of this factor contributes significantly to improve the agreement of calculated gas permeability with the measured values obtained during the DST experiment.

Uncertainties in coupled thermal–hydrological processes associated with the Drift Scale Test at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Understanding thermally driven coupled hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes in unsaturated fractured tuff is essential for evaluating the performance of the potential radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The Drift Scale Test (DST), intended for acquiring such an understanding of these processes, has generated a huge volume of temperature and moisture redistribution data. Sophisticated thermal–hydrological (TH) conceptual models have yielded a good fit between simulation results and those measured data. However, some uncertainties in understanding the TH processes associated with the DST still exist. This paper evaluates these uncertainties and provides quantitative estimates of the range of these uncertainties. Of particular interest for the DST are the uncertainties resulting from the unmonitored loss of vapor through an open bulkhead of the test. There was concern that the outcome from the test might have been significantly altered by these losses. Using alternative conceptual models, we illustrate that predicted mean temperatures from the DST are within 1 °C of the measured mean temperatures through the first 2 years of heating. The simulated spatial and temporal evolution of drying and condensation fronts is found to be qualitatively consistent with measured saturation data. Energy and mass balance computation shows that no more than 13% of the input energy is lost because of vapor leaving the test domain through the bulkhead. The change in average saturation in fractures is also relatively small. For a hypothetical situation in which no vapor is allowed to exit through the bulkhead, the simulated average fracture saturation is not qualitatively different enough to be discerned by measured moisture redistribution data. This leads us to conclude that the DST, despite the uncertainties associated with open field testing, has provided an excellent understanding of the TH processes.

Modeling the thermal‐hydrologic processes in a large‐scale underground heater test in partially saturated fractured tuff

The Drift Scale Test (DST) is being conducted in an underground facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to probe the coupled thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes likely to occur in the fractured rock mass around a potential high‐level nuclear waste repository. Thermal‐hydrological processes in the DST have been simulated using a three‐dimensional numerical model. The model incorporates the realistic test configuration and all available site‐specific measurements pertaining to the thermal and hydrological properties of the unsaturated fractured tuff of the test block. The modeled predictions were compared to the extensive set of measured data collected in the first year of this 8‐year‐long test. The mean error between the predictions and measurement at 12 months of heating for over 1600 temperature sensors is about 2°C. Heat‐pipe signature in the temperature data, indicating two‐phase regions of liquid‐vapor counterflow, is seen in both the measurements and simulated results. The redistribution of moisture content in the rock mass (resulting from vaporization and condensation) was probed by periodic air‐injection testing and geophysical measurements. Good agreement also occurred between the model predictions and these measurements. The general agreement between predictions from the numerical simulations and the measurements of the thermal test indicates that our fundamental understanding of the coupled thermal‐hydrologic processes at Yucca Mountain is sound. However, effects of spatial heterogeneity from discrete fractures that are observed in the temperature data are not matched by simulations from the numerical model, which treat the densely spaced fractures as a continuum.

A field study for understanding thermally driven coupled processes in partially saturated fractured welded tuff

As part of a multi-laboratory team, we are carrying out two in situ thermal tests — the single Heater Test and Drift Scale Test, in an underground facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, USA, the proposed site for a high-level nuclear waste repository. Our objective in these tests is to gain a more in-depth understanding of the coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical processes likely to exist in the fractured rock mass around a geological repository . These coupled processes are monitored continuously by numerous sensors emplaced in boreholes, while cross-hole radar tomography , neutron logging , electrical resistivity tomography, and interference air-permeability tests all serve to measure moisture change in the rock mass. Thermal–hydrological processes for both tests have been simulated (using a 3-D numerical model) and compared to the extensive data set. In this paper, we present examples to illustrate how an iterative approach requiring close integration of modeling and measurements enables us to track the complex coupled processes we seek to understand. The main manifestation of coupled thermal-hydrological processes is in the time evolution of the drying and condensation zones. Good agreement exists between model predictions and measurements, specifically the decrease in air-permeability values within zones of increased liquid saturation in the fractures and the increase of radar velocity in cross-hole radar survey in zones of decreased matrix liquid saturation. A heat-pipe signature in the temperature data arising from liquid–vapor counter-flow occurs in both the measurements and simulated results. The good agreement between predictions from the numerical simulations and measurements in the thermal tests indicates that our basic understanding of the thermal-hydrological processes in a potential repository at Yucca Mountain is sound. However, detailed behavior is impacted by site-specific heterogeneity, in the form of discrete fractures that are not likely to be predictable a priori. One emphasis of the on-going Drift Scale Test is to build on the present understanding and to assess the impact of heterogeneity to the repository performance.

Site-specific Thermal and Mechanical Property Characterizations ofIn-Situ Thermal Test Areas at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is investigating Yucca Mountain, Nevada as a potential site for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste. The site is located near the southwest corner of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) in southern Nye County, Nevada. The underground Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF) tunnel traverses part of the proposed repository block. Alcove 5, located within the ESF is being used to field two in situ ESF thermal tests: the Single Heater Test (SHT) and the Drift Scale Test (DST). Laboratory test specimens were collected from three sites within Alcove 5 including each in situ field test location and one additional site. The aim of the laboratory tests was to determine site-specific thermal and mechanical rock properties including thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, unconfined compressive strength, and elastic moduli. In this paper, the results obtained for the SHT and DST area characterization are compared with data obtained from other locations at the proposed repository site. Results show that thermal expansion, and mechanical properties of Alcove 5 laboratory specimens are slightly different than the average values obtained on specimens from surface drillholes.