Mineralogy-Petrology and Groundwater Geochemistry of Yucca Mountain Tuffs

1983 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Bish ◽  
Allen E. Ogard ◽  
David T. Vaniman
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Glass ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Southern Nevada ◽  
The Us ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Variable Character ◽  
High Level

Research at Yucca Mountain in southern Nevada (Fig. 1), is being supported by the US Department of Energy to evaluate this site as a possible high-level radioactive waste repository. Yucca Mountain is underlain by a thick sequence of ash-flow and bedded tuffs, with a few silicic lavas.Variations in mode of tuff emplacement and postemplacement alterations have given rise to pyroclastic rocks of quite variable character, ranging from nonwelded to densely welded, vitric to devitrified, and nonzeolitized to completely zeolitized. The proposed repository horizon is in the lower portion of the thick, densely welded Topopah Spring Member of the Paintbrush Tuff in the unsaturated zone. Within the Topopah Spring Member and in the rocks beneath the proposed repository horizon, there are significant variations in mineralogy [1]. Such changes in mineralogy include the localized occurrence of such potentially reactive phases as cristobalite,tridymite, smectite, and volcanic glass. The important sorptive minerals clinoptilolite and mordenite also occur in discrete horizons, and their distribution changes horizontally and vertically. We have undertaken a study of the mineralogy in Yucca Mountain as a function of depth and lateral position to predict the horizontal and vertical distribution of these important potentially reactive and sorptive minerals. This knowledge has aided in locating the repository horizon and will help to put bounds on mineralogic variability within the repository horizon. In addition, studies of the distribution of minerals in Yucca Mountain allow us to deduce the factors that have controlled mineral distributions and to predict mineral assemblages along transport pathways [1,2]. In addition, we are investigating the groundwater chemistry because it and mineralogy are used as input to codes for calculating the transport rate of waste elements from the repository to the accessible environment.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the US DOE's conceptual model of hydrothermal activity at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 3853-3905
Author(s):  
Y. V. Dublyansky
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Natural Analog ◽  
Disposal Facility ◽  
The Us ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
High Level

Abstract. A unique conceptual model envisaging conductive heating of rocks in the thick unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, Nevada by a silicic pluton emplaced several kilometers away is accepted by the US Department of Energy (DOE) as an explanation of the elevated depositional temperatures measured in fluid inclusions in secondary fluorite and calcite. Acceptance of this model allowed the DOE not to consider hydrothermal activity in the performance assessment of the proposed high-level nuclear waste disposal facility. Evaluation shows that validation of the model by computational modeling and by observations at a natural analog site was unsuccessful. Due to the lack of validation, the reliance on this model must be discontinued and the scientific defensibility of decisions which rely on this model must be re-evaluated.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the US DOE's conceptual model of hydrothermal activity at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1583-1607
Author(s):  
Y. V. Dublyansky
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Unsaturated Zone ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Natural Analog ◽  
Benchmark Data ◽  
The Us ◽  
High Level Nuclear Waste ◽  
High Level

Abstract. A unique conceptual model describing the conductive heating of rocks in the thick unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, Nevada by a silicic pluton emplaced several kilometers away is accepted by the US Department of Energy (DOE) as an explanation of the elevated depositional temperatures measured in fluid inclusions in secondary fluorite and calcite. Acceptance of this model allowed the DOE to keep from considering hydrothermal activity in the performance assessment of the proposed high-level nuclear waste disposal facility. The evaluation presented in this paper shows that no computational modeling results have yet produced a satisfactory match with the empirical benchmark data, specifically with age and fluid inclusion data that indicate high temperatures (up to ca. 80 °C) in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain. Auxiliary sub-models complementing the DOE model, as well as observations at a natural analog site, have also been evaluated. Summarily, the model cannot be considered as validated. Due to the lack of validation, the reliance on this model must be discontinued and the appropriateness of decisions which rely on this model must be re-evaluated.

Technology Development to Support OCRWM Transportation Activities

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Lake ◽  
Nancy Slater-Thompson ◽  
Ned Larson ◽  
Franchone Oshinowo
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
High Level ◽  
Transportation Program

Technology development activities are being conducted by the Department of Energy, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management to support spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste transport to the federal repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada in 2010. The paper discusses the motivation for pursuing transport technologies for a private sector operated transportation program, and describes some of the current technologies being pursued.

Demonstration of Safety for Geologic Disposal

1993 ◽  
Vol 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward C. Taylor ◽  
Lawrence D. Ramspott ◽  
William M. Sprecher
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Technological Advance ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Nuclear Waste Management ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
Geologic Disposal ◽  
High Level ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTThe U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) is developing a nuclear waste management system that will accept high-level radioactive waste, transport it, store it, and ultimately emplace it in a deep geologic repository. The key activity now is determining whether Yucca Mountain, Nevada is suitable as a site for the repository. If so, the crucial technological advance will be the demonstration that disposal of nuclear waste will be safe for thousands of years after closure. This paper assesses the impact of regulatory developments, legal developments, and scientific developments on such a demonstration.

scholarly journals Building at the Speed of Light: Prefabrication, Transport, and Assembly

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Eli Nuttall
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Solar Decathlon ◽  
Tourism Management ◽  
Construction Techniques ◽  
Design Build ◽  
The Us ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

<p>This thesis will examine the logistical strategies and construction techniques used in the making of the First Light house. First Light was the 2011 team entered by Victoria University of Wellington to compete in the US Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Decathlon. The team is largely comprised of students and staff in Architecture and the Building Sciences, but also spans to include students from; Design, Landscape Architecture, Marketing and Communications, Tourism Management, and Commerce. The competition took place in September of 2011 and marked the culmination of a two year period of development within the University.  The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy efficient, and attractive. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2012)  The Solar Decathlon has established a very focused and complex brief that, due to its competitive nature, demands an extremely high level of logistical and technical innovation. It captures many of the core issues that architects and engineers are facing today. These issues are centred on energy efficiency, energy production, affordability, and the making of a more liveable and sustainable built environment.</p>

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