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PNNL-13501 - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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allowable parameters using thermodynamic modeling,<br />

and candidate gases will undergo soil-column<br />

experiments using simulated tank wastes to verify<br />

predicted behavior.<br />

Results and Accomplishments<br />

Our research team derived a mathematical model of tracer<br />

behavior under nonequilibrium transport conditions. Soilcolumn<br />

experiments using the proposed tracer suite<br />

(methane and difluoromethane) have verified the<br />

theoretical conclusions. The tracer residence time was<br />

found to be independent of the Damkholer number (masstransfer<br />

rate/advection flow rate), and the mass-transfer<br />

rate was found to be independent of the water saturation<br />

of the soil. Experimental results from soil-column tests<br />

show that residence time (flow rate through the pore<br />

volume) has little effect on the accuracy of water<br />

saturation measurements under transport conditions with<br />

Damkholer numbers greater than unity (see Figure 4).<br />

Summary of Experimental Results<br />

Water saturation measured by mass balance = 0.269<br />

Tracer Concentration (ppm w<br />

Mean Residence Time Damkohler Water<br />

for Difluoromethane (hrs) Number Saturation<br />

PITT #1 1.33 2.19 0.260<br />

PITT #2 0.86 1.86 0.235<br />

PITT #3 0.50 1.50 0.259<br />

PITT #4 0.27 1.21 0.274<br />

1000<br />

100<br />

10<br />

1<br />

0.1<br />

Solid points - Methane<br />

Open points - Difluoromethane<br />

0 50 100 150 200 250<br />

Volume (ml)<br />

PITT #1<br />

(0.81 cc/min)<br />

PITT #2<br />

(1.24 cc/min)<br />

PITT #3<br />

(2.20 cc/min)<br />

PITT #4<br />

(3.83 cc/min)<br />

Figure 4. Experimental results for the methanedifluoromethane<br />

tracer system show accurate water<br />

saturation measurements are possible at fast flow rates<br />

(low mean residence times)<br />

Thermodynamic approximations of ammonia partitioning<br />

show that it would be severely retarded in its transport in<br />

the subsurface, but it is thought that preferential flowpatterns<br />

will saturate with continued passage of ammonia<br />

and reduce the apparent retardation. Butanol and other<br />

organics with lower aqueous partitioning coefficients are<br />

under consideration as waste-component leak indicators.<br />

250 FY 2000 <strong>Laboratory</strong> Directed Research and Development Annual Report<br />

135 Xe is present in tank wastes (Agnew 1997) at very low<br />

molar concentrations, but its gamma signature is easily<br />

detectable at 1 Bq/m 3 . Its relatively high solubility in<br />

water gives it a correspondingly high retardation factor,<br />

but soil-column experiments may reveal preferential flowpattern<br />

saturation (as with ammonia). We are studying<br />

other noble-gas, waste-component radioisotopes of lower<br />

atomic number (less polarizable, and so less soluble) and<br />

tritium as leak detection agents.<br />

Summary and Conclusions<br />

A mathematical model of tracer behavior under<br />

nonequilibrium mass-transfer conditions was formulated.<br />

Soil-column experiments verified the theoretical<br />

predictions of the independence of the Damkholer number<br />

and tracer residence time and the independence of masstransfer<br />

rate and soil water saturation. Our research team<br />

concluded that<br />

• The accuracy of water saturation measurements are<br />

substantially unaffected by advection flow rates or<br />

tracer residence times for transport conditions with<br />

Damkholer numbers greater than unity.<br />

• The methane/difluoromethane tracer suite is well<br />

suited for soil moisture characterization.<br />

• Volatile organic, inorganic, or radioactive tank-waste<br />

components may function effectively as leak<br />

indicators if partitioning and preferential-flow<br />

behavior is adequately characterized.<br />

This project will continue as we perform preferential-flow<br />

experiments and characterize tracer behavior in simulated<br />

Hanford tank waste. We also will seek to conduct a field<br />

demonstration where a soil-moisture partitioning interwell<br />

tracer tests will be used to quantify a simulated tank leak<br />

in Hanford soils.<br />

Reference<br />

Agnew SF. 1997. Hanford Tank Chemical and<br />

Radionuclide Inventories: HDW Model Rev. 4 LA-UR-<br />

96-3860, Los Alamos <strong>National</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong>, Los Alamos,<br />

New Mexico.

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