Effectiveness of Layered Stemming in Comparison with Homogeneous Stemming

摘要

Stemming materials utilized to fill emplacement holes at the Nevada Test Site must have a permeability small enough to prevent release of radioactive materials into the atmosphere following an experimental underground nuclear explosion. Ideal gas flow characteristic of a layered stemming column in comparison to a homogeneous stemming column when one end is exposed to a noncondensible gas source at constant pressure was examined. Although the analysis was completed in one-dimensional Cartesian coordinates, extension of the results is two-dimensional flow fields is approximated by considering parallel flow paths around the low permeability layers when the formation permeability is large. Application to cases where condensible gases are present, can be expected to give similar comparative results between layered and homogeneous stemming columns. (ERA citation 01:020840)