Open AccessRelease of radon contaminants from Yucca Mountain: The role of buoyancy driven flow
Author(s) -
T.M. Sullivan,
C. Pescatore
Publication year - 1994
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/69193
Subject(s) - buoyancy , yucca , radon , environmental science , flow (mathematics) , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , mechanics , geotechnical engineering , ecology , physics , nuclear physics , biology
The potential for the repository heat source to promote buoyancy driven flow and thereby cause release of radon gas out of Yucca Mountain has been examined through a critical review of the theoretical and experimental studies of this process. The review indicates that steady-state buoyancy enhanced release of natural radon and other contaminant gases should not be a major concern at Yucca Mountain. Barometric pumping and wind pumping are identified as two processes that will have a potentially greater effect on surface releases of gases