Final report of FORGE WP3.1.1: the large scale gas injection test (Lasgit) performed at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory

Cuss, R.J.; Harrington, J.F.; Noy, D.J.; Graham, C.C.. 2012 Final report of FORGE WP3.1.1: the large scale gas injection test (Lasgit) performed at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory. British Geological Survey, 31pp. (CR/12/141N) (Unpublished)

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text
CR12141N.pdf
Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

This report summarises the set-up, operation and observations from the first 2890 days (7.9 years) of the large scale gas injection test (Lasgit) experiment conducted at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory. During this time the bentonite buffer has been artificially hydrated and has given new insight into the evolution of the buffer. Three gas injection tests have been conducted during the duration of Lasgit. The first two tests were conducted in the lower array of injection filters at FL903. Both of these tests showed similar behaviour with a well-defined pressure peak; spontaneous negative transient; evidence of dynamic behaviour and unstable gas pathways; asymptote close to stress. The results were remarkably qualitatively similar to the laboratory test results. However, the high gas entry pressures seen in the laboratory were not seen in Lasgit as stress state is much lower due to non-complete hydration of the buffer and the expansion of the buffer to fill construction voids. The third gas test was conducted in an upper array filter (FU910). The response at the time of gas peak pressure was subtly dissimilar to that seen at FL903 with two peak pressures. Lasgit has confirmed the coupling between gas, stress and pore-water pressure for flow before and after major gas entry at the field scale. All observations suggest mechanisms of pathway propagation and dilatancy predominate. In all three gas tests the propagation was through localised features and the general movement direction was towards the bottom of the deposition hole in the direction of the prevailing stress gradient. The injection tests have shown that the interface between barriers is a key part of the system. Gas appears to have exited the deposition hole in Gas test 2, but failed to find a way out during Gas test 3; where gas continued to migrate along the canister/buffer interface. Throughout the history of Lasgit parts of the system have been artificially and naturally hydrated. Hydraulic results, from controlled and uncontrolled events, show that the buffer continues to mature and has yet to reach full maturation. Hydration of the clay is progressing well but sections of bentonite remain in suction and in hydraulic disequilibrium.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Funders/Sponsors:	European Commission FP7 FORGE Project, SKB (Stockholm)
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This report made open by author in September 2016. This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed
Additional Keywords:	Lasgit, gas injection, bentonite, modelling, hydration, hydraulic, storage, gas entry pressure
Date made live:	05 Sep 2016 15:14 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/514343

Item Type:

Publication - Report

Funders/Sponsors:

European Commission FP7 FORGE Project, SKB (Stockholm)

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

This report made open by author in September 2016. This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed

Additional Keywords:

Lasgit, gas injection, bentonite, modelling, hydration, hydraulic, storage, gas entry pressure

Date made live:

05 Sep 2016 15:14 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/514343