Theory and application of the PORFLOW model for analysis of coupled flow, heat and radionuclide transport in porous media

The theory and application of the PORFLOW model for analysis of coupled flow, heat and species transport processes in saturated, porous or equivalent porous media are discussed. The model is based upon the nodal point integration method. It inherently conserves mass and energy at both local and global scales. It provides for inhomogeneous, anisotropic and time-dependent properties and accounts for buoyancy effects due to density changes. It has been in development for over 9 years and its applications have included nuclear waste disposal, geothermal storage, ground water resource management, chemical pollution of aquifers, and others. Two applications of the model to problems related to disposal of high-level waste are described