1. Analytical Model for Radial Injection of NORM with a Step-Function Source*
- Author
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ARGONNE NATIONAL LAB IL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND INFORMATION SCIENCES DIV, Williams, Gustavious Paul, Tomasko, David, Smith, Karen, Blunt, Deborah, ARGONNE NATIONAL LAB IL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND INFORMATION SCIENCES DIV, Williams, Gustavious Paul, Tomasko, David, Smith, Karen, and Blunt, Deborah
- Abstract
This paper presents information on a model used to analyze the underground injection of wastes containing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). This model uses a step function contaminant source, which models intermittent NORM injection in a continuous brine injection well. The governing equations are presented and transformed into Laplace space, where the equations are solved. The numerical inversion of this solution is detailed. The model is cast in a nondimensional form such that a single model solution is valid for a large number of different field conditions. This paper also presents a case study that compares this analytical model to a simple mixing model for a field demonstration site in west Texas. This case study showed that at distances of more than 100 meters from the injection well, calculated subsurface NORM activities were lower than proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards. The comparison also shows that the simple mixing model overpredicts activity levels close to the injection well and underpredicts activities further from the well.
- Published
- 1997