iTOUGH2-EOS7C model used to analyze multiphase flow and hydromechanical coupling in underpressured shale at the Bruce Nuclear Site, Ontario, Canada
Dates
Release Date
2019-01-01
Start Date
2015-11-06
End Date
2015-11-06
Publication Date
2023-09-15
Citation
Plampin, M.R., 2019, iTOUGH2-EOS7C model used to analyze multiphase flow and hydromechanical coupling in underpressured shale at the Bruce Nuclear Site, Ontario, Canada: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9DFLCNC.
Summary
Using iTOUGH2-EOS7C, a simple 1-D model was developed to represent a site in Ontario, Canada which is being considered for nuclear waste disposal. The site exhibits substantially underpressured water and potential evidence for gas phase methane within a thick section of sedimentary rocks. To investigate possible mechanisms for the development of the underpressure in a multiphase system, hydromechanical coupling during a glacial cycle was simulated with and without gas phase methane present. Results indicate that, while the gas dampened the effects of the loading cycle, it did not preclude underpressure development. This USGS data release contains all of the input and output files for the simulations described in the associated journal [...]
Summary
Using iTOUGH2-EOS7C, a simple 1-D model was developed to represent a site in Ontario, Canada which is being considered for nuclear waste disposal. The site exhibits substantially underpressured water and potential evidence for gas phase methane within a thick section of sedimentary rocks. To investigate possible mechanisms for the development of the underpressure in a multiphase system, hydromechanical coupling during a glacial cycle was simulated with and without gas phase methane present. Results indicate that, while the gas dampened the effects of the loading cycle, it did not preclude underpressure development. This USGS data release contains all of the input and output files for the simulations described in the associated journal article (https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL083027x).
This groundwater model was created to examine possible linkages between multiphase methane evolution, hydromechanical coupling, and pressure distribution within the subsurface of a site where a potential deep geologic repository for low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste has been proposed. The data used to create the model are available on the Ontario Power Generation website (https://www.opg.com/generating-power/nuclear/nuclear-waste-management/Deep-Geologic-Repository/Pages/Project-Development.aspx). The development of the model input and output files included in this data release are documented in the article published in the Geophysical Research Letters journal (https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL083027x).