Refined Cap Design for Uranium Tailings Sites
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 117, Issue 2
Abstract
The cover of a disposal cell is an important element in the long‐term stability of a reclaimed uranium tailings site. The cover is generally comprised of a radon barrier, filter, and surface erosion barrier. A study is conducted to investigate the drainage and erosion potential between the filter and radon barrier layer in response to surface water flows over a layer of riprap. A cover system is physically modeled in a hydraulics laboratory. The experimental program evaluated the interstitial velocity potential through four filters, the erosion and sediment transport potential from the radon barrier, and the filter drainage rate after passage of the surface runoff hydrograph. The results indicated that the use of traditional filter criteria to bed riprap is extremely conservative and restricts drainage. The grain size of the filter materials should be increased to enhance drainage when placed on flat slopes. A relationship is presented for estimating the drainage velocity potential through a filter layer as a function of slope and gradation. A new filter criteria should be developed for overtopping flow conditions.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Abt, S. R., Wittier, R. J., Ruff, J. F., LaGrone, D. L., Khattak, M. S., Nelson, J. D., Hinkle, N. E., and Lee, D. W. (1988). “Development of riprap design criteria by riprap testing in flumes: Phase II.” NUREG/CR‐4651, 2, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., 62–63.
2.
Abt, S. R., High, K. M., Gongloff, D. M., and McDaniel, R. D. (1989). “Radon barrier erosion and bedding drainage criteria for UMTRA Sites.” Contract No.: 34‐6704‐S‐89‐0006, Alburquerque, N.M., 68.
3.
High, K. M. (1990). “Erosion protection and drainage characteristics of selected bedding materials,” thesis presented to Colorado State University, at Fort Collins, Colo., in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
4.
Nelson, J. D., Abt, S. R., Volpe, R. C., VanZyl, D., Hinkle, N. E., and Staub, W. P. (1986). “Methodologies for evaluating long‐term stabilization designs of uranium mill tailings impoundments.” NUREG/CR‐4620, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., 5–15.
5.
Reclamation Plan License No. SUA‐1475, Church Rock Site, Gallup, New Mexico. (1988). United Nuclear Corporation Mining, Denver, Colo., II, Appendix C, Canonie Environmental.
6.
Sherard, J. L., Dunnigan, L. P., and Talbot, J. R. (1984). “Basic properties of sand and gravel filters.” J. Geotech. Engrg., ASCE, 110(6), 684–700.
7.
“Technical approach document.” (1988). UMTRA‐DOE/AL‐050425.001. U.S. Dept. of Energy, UMTRA Project Office, Albuquerque Operations Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 ASCE.
History
Published online: Aug 1, 1991
Published in print: Aug 1991
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.