Preliminary seal design evaluation for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Historical Background on Assessment the Performance of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

“…The first shaft sealing concepts near the Rustler envisioned using large seals of concrete, concrete-grout, or possibly other mixtures directly below the Rustler and halfway down the salt column to protect the lower crushed salt component prior to consolidation (Stormont, 1988;Lappin et al, eds., 1989, Figure 4-10). In 1990, bentonite clay, a swelling clay shown to be stable and with low permeability in brines in 1979 and 1984 studies, was added as a separate long-term component to the seals in the Rustler and at other seal locations in the Salado.…”

Detailed design report for an operational phase panel-closure system

“…The latter proved to yield the most favorable results due to its significant expansive properties, which create a tight interface; its workability (about 4 hours); and for its ability to inhibit dissolution of surrounding salt during cement hydration. Stormont (1988) also studied the performance of grout and concretes as constituents of main concrete barriers for the panel-closure system. The use of cementitious grouts within the disturbed rock zone adjacent to the main barrier was determined to be detrimental at times, as it could facilitate fracture propagation.…”

“…SSSPT performed by Stormont (1988) and Finley and Tillerson (1992) evaluated salt-based concrete, bentonite, and salt blocks for barrier performance. In the salt-based concrete barriers, both brine and gas migration across the barrier-rock interface were retarded by salt creep adjacent to the barrier and the expansive properties of the salt-based concrete.…”

Case studies of sealing methods and materials used in the salt and potash mining industries

“…PreIiminary concepts for the WIPP seal system and work to validate these concepts are well documented in a series of reports (e.g., Stormont 1984Stormont , 1988; Stormont and Argiiello, 1988). The initial reference seal design (Le., preliminary conceptual design) is given by Now& et al, 1990.…”