Transcript PowerPoint Presentation - WIPP Site as a Component of DUSEL

Proposal for the WIPP Site
to be a Component of DUSEL
David B. Cline
for the WIPP/DUSEL Proposal Team
UCLA
1. Advantages of WIPP for a component of DUSEL:Very large
cost savings for DUSEL
2. Particle Physics Potential: Large modules and “smart”
detectors
3. Geo-Biological Potential: Very old bacteria and major
extinctions on earth
4. Geology Sciences and Engineering
Plan for S2, team members, and Support in New Mexico
Major Advantage of the WIPP Site as a Component of DUSEL
1. Existing site owned by USA
DOE plenty of room for major projects like LANNDD or UNO or large liquid
scintillator Detector. Large US taxpayer investment already.
2. Powerful infrastructure supported by DOE for the next 35 years: a great savings for
DUSEL.
3. Very inexpensive cavern excavation: $25/ton – 35-year lifetime, long enough to
possibly detect SII in galaxy or proton decay search to 1035-1036 years lifetime.
4. Large existing space: Large hall now being constructed, e.g. EXO project going
underground in Fall, for detector testing and experiments. Low radioactive
backgrounds!
5. We are not proposing WIPP as a deep site but a component for very large detectors!
Project Summary
It is proposed to locate a site for certain components of DUSEL at the Carlsbad, New Mexico
site of the DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. These components include: near-term R&D and
prototyping in support of future work at a very deep facility; large detectors which benefit
from the low cost of large cavity mining in salt and which do not require a very deep site to
reduce backgrounds; geobiology studies involving ancient bacteria sequestered for hundreds of
millions of years in the salt; and geology and geochemistry studies of the evaporite matrix,
which bears unique information about the Earth's distant past and about present-day
economically important minerals.
The intellectual merit of this proposal is in recognizing that the site has clear advantages for
housing those scientific components of the DUSEL program which are compatible with its
modest depth. Large amounts of space underground are available now with no additional
excavations; training, safety and mine operations are already in place; an Environmental
Assessment is in place covering many of the hazards expected from underground experiments;
there is nearly twenty years of experience of safe and legal science operations underground at
the site. The site itself and 42 km2 of surrounding land is government owned and specifically
dedicated to waste disposal operations and underground science. The ease and low cost of
mining in salt facilitates construction of specialized caverns including separate ventilation
and/or access shafts for physics experiments; drilling in any direction to implant transducers
for geology studies; and drilling to allow biological sampling of the salt rock far from mining
disturbances. Science areas are separated from waste disposal areas by at least 800 m and have
separate ventilation circuits.
The broader impacts of this proposal are that compelling opportunities for education and
outreach also exist at Carlsbad. The location is in an EPSCOR state with an underserved,
largely rural Hispanic population which nevertheless strongly supports the DOE waste disposal
mission specifically and science and technology generally. A partnership with the National Cave
and Karst Research Institute promises to involve local and state governments, and to tap into
the half-million tourists who annually visit the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located 30
miles from the site.
Science participants
Introduction
A half-million tourists visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park each year. The park's
extraordinary caverns, nearly 300 m under the earth's surface, were formed in
a huge fossilized reef that grew fringing an ancient ocean. Evaporation of that
ocean during the Permian Period (~250 ma) produced a 1200 meter thick
evaporite (salt) deposit, now buried 300 meters below the desert floor east of
the Caverns. In the middle of this formation lies the 657 m deep Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the first licensed geologic repository for disposal
of radioactive wastes in the US, on a 42 km2 tract permanently withdrawn and
owned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
This unique facility is also the best and most cost effective location in the US at
which to site many important components of a proposed Deep Underground
Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL).
Advantages of siting DUSEL components at Carlsbad
The Carlsbad DOE facility is highly cost effective for certain DUSEL components because
the facility and infrastructure already exist. Ultra-low background physics experiments
and other scientific activities conducted by outside investigators have been conducted
underground at the site for a dozen years and continue today (see Section 3 for details).
Rock overburden is 657 m, providing sufficient attenuation of cosmic ray backgrounds
for many purposes [2]. Natural radioactivity in the salt is about 50 times lower than in
typical crustal rock [2], providing cost savings on local shielding needed for some
experiments. Airborne radon in the site is at the level of surface air with negligible
emanation from local rock. Radon levels underground can be further reduced by a
factor of about 30 if radon is removed from the intake air. The site is already owned by
the U.S. government and waste operations are planned to continue for at least 35 years.
Safety and mine rescue, training, ES&H, security, and other services already exist at the
site. Salt can be mined in nearly any cavity/drift configuration at very low mining cost
(as low as $25/ton for certain very large cavities). A very large hoist cage measuring
2.87 m  4.64 m  4.12 m high allows objects as large as standard 8  12 foot modular
buildings and weighing up to 45 tons to be brought underground intact.
Throughout the design, construction, licensing and operations phases of WIPP, beginning in
1985, the site has been managed and operated by the for-profit Washington TRU
Solutions, a subsidiary of Washington Group International (WGI), under contract to the
U.S. Department of Energy.
Physics research
The EXO (Enriched Xenon Observatory) experiment [47] is a neutrinoless double beta
decay experiment that was singled out in the DOE 20 year plan as a high priority, near
term goal. EXO employs a different isotope and a different scheme than SEGA/MEGA.
The experiment presently has a small underground location at Carlsbad (Fig. 2). The
detector, currently being tested at Stanford University in California, will employ about
200 kg of Xenon, 80% enriched in Xe-136. This stockpile of enriched Xe was produced
in Russia, in part using FY02 WIPP funding for science. This is believed to be the
largest stockpile of an enriched isotope ever assembled for research, with the exception
of materials intended for nuclear fission or fusion. EXO has been fully studied and
approved for safe operation alongside WIPP. A letter of support for the present proposal
from the EXO Collaboration is attached with the ancillary documents.
The EXO assembly plan is a potent example for future experimenters at Carlsbad,
highlighting operational advantages of the site. The experiment will be assembled
inside portable, modular clean-room buildings at Stanford University. When all systems
are checked out, the modular buildings and equipment will be brought intact to
Carlsbad, moved underground, and connected together as needed. EXO plans call for
the detector to be installed in the recently refurbished North Experiment Area (NExA,
described below) in late 2005.
Physics research
A substantial upgrade of the North Experimental Area (NExA) is in
progress during FY04. The main NExA cavity spans 10 m  100 m in
area (1.4 acres) and is 6 m tall. It is located at the extreme northern
part of the facility, well out of the nominal mine and waste traffic flow.
Work already completed includes ground control and stabilization and
lighting. With the remaining funds, it is anticipated that redundant
power and data communications infrastructure will be installed in
NExA during FY05. The area will have its own ventilation air flow
and dedicated power and data infrastructure.
With beneficial
occupancy forecast for early 2006, the size of the NExA cavity rivals
those available at Gran Sasso.
Current experimental areas at Carlsbad
NExA cavity in detail
Geobiology research
University researchers working at WIPP in the 1990’s, supported by outside
funding, obtained startling results indicating that viable bacteria had been
preserved in isolation from the biosphere for a period of about 250 ma [59].
Brine inclusions in salt (halite) crystals trapped these halotolerant bacteria as
crystals grew to fill open spaces, created in the salt beds during repeated times
of subaerial exposure. The Salado consists of hundreds of depositional cycles,
most representing conditions similar to those associated with the recovered
viable bacteria (e.g. Figure 1). Microbes and their DNA have now been found
in several salt formations, however the WIPP yielded oldest surviving
microbes and is unique as a study site due to its scientific design, extensive
geologic characterization and design for use as a science facility. The thick
sequence of halite rocks represents an opportunity to sample similar rocks to
those yielding bacteria over geological time. Repeated features within
depositional cycles offer the finest opportunity to develop genetic relationships
between viable ancient bacteria and their modern relatives.
Examples of dissolution pipes in Salado halite from the air
intake shaft at WIPP
Examples of dissolution pipes in Salado halite from the air
intake shaft at WIPP. Dissolution pipes are often filled
with coarsely crystalline halite with large fluid inclusions
that may contain Permian-age bacteria and geochemical
information about the Permian-Triassic boundary. A)
Dissolution pipes at 1790 level (546 m) developed from a
single exposure surface in stratified mud-poor halite
(SMPH). The reddish-brown laminae in the lower part of
the photograph are polyhalite and lighter beds are halite.
The halite in pipes is slightly darker because of clear
crystals. B) Dissolution pipes at the 1435 level (437 m)
developed from a relatively flat exposure surface before
gray clay draped the surface and a thick sulfate bed
(Marker Bed 118) was deposited after the salt pan was
flooded by fresher water to begin a cycle. C) Fine, opaque
halite (generally light colored) in the upper part of some
depositional cycles (1945 level; 594 m) originated mainly
as efflorescent salt. “Podular” textures developed with
repeated short term exposure, and modest infiltration of
insolubles through porosity. The “podular” zone was
later disrupted extensively when the water table
dropped; coarser, clear (darker) halite filled the pipe
area when the water (brine) table rose. Residual podular
halite (r) in the pipe area survived local extensive
dissolution. The scale (left side) is 10 cm. D) A desiccation
crack at the 1680 level (512 m) developed in stratified
mud-poor halite (SMPH). The upper part, possibly
developed later from another exposure surface, has
widened the crack. Other examples also indicate that
successive generations of pipes may follow earlier
patterns.
Geobiology of ancient bacteria at WIPP
Long term isolation of the transuranic waste disposed at WIPP is conditioned on
the absence of water infiltration over geologic time. In the total absence of
water, one might expect the formation to be biologically sterile. However,
Vreeland et al [59] reported the isolation and analysis of DNA from the
world’s oldest viable organisms (four strains), recovered from brine inclusions
in salt crystals sampled at the WIPP site. These organisms were bacteria
(referred to as strains 2-9-2; 2-9-3, 2-10-1, and 2-10-2 ). If their Permian
origin can be confirmed, it would have important implications for DNA-dating
of organisms since 2-9-3 DNA does not differ as much from modern bacteria
as might be expected [60]. The dating of 2-9-3 has been criticized because
stable isotope ratios in the trapped brine are typical of surface water, which is
assumed to indicate a recent water intrusion.
However, the known
exceedingly low permeability of the salt from a very early date, and the known
geologic history of the formation suggest quite a different, yet fully consistent
interpretation - this is indeed surface water, but Permian surface water [61].
Very stable layering is found within some slat formations.
This pattern is identical to that in a modern deposit this one is
250 million years old.
One of the primary crystals that contained living microbes.
Note the cubic inclusions and drill holes. Vreeland et al.
(2000) Nature 407:897-900.
Picture of the isolate
Earth sciences and engineering research
A DUSEL site co-located with WIPP provides unique opportunities to address
important and far-reaching earth science and engineering questions. Over the
last 30 years numerous geologic, hydrologic, geochemical, geomechanical,
geophysical, materials science, and engineering studies have been conducted
to support the WIPP mission of nuclear waste isolation. These studies make
the WIPP area one of the most intensely studied and well-characterized earth
science systems in the world, conferring several distinct advantages on a
DUSEL component there. Basic earth science and engineering questions can
be clearly formulated, and studies and experiments can be effectively designed
without the uncertainty and additional cost that would arise at a less wellcharacterized site. Partnerships between academic and WIPP scientists and
engineers will leverage the WIPP investment in applied research to help
answer basic earth science and engineering questions.
Earth sciences and engineering
Southeastern New Mexico has long been the focus of earth science and
engineering study because of economic quantities of hydrocarbons and potashbearing minerals, prolific caves and karst features, world-class exposures of
ancient reef deposits, and investigations related to nuclear waste isolation at
the WIPP. With an area approaching 100,000 km2 and a combined thickness
exceeding 1,200 m, the Castile, Salado, Rustler, and Dewey Lake Formations
represent one of the thickest, nearly continuous evaporite sequences in the
world [62][63]. Such sequences are associated with climatic and geologic
conditions that differ from today: warmer climates, greenhouse conditions, and
greater tectonic activity [64]. These deposits contain important information
about the Earth’s past response to global climate change, greenhouse gases,
and changes in atmospheric carbon. Unlike other rock types, evaporites rarely
crop out at the surface, are readily deformed (e.g., the development of salt
domes), and are usually studied in cores and poor underground exposures in
active mines. Few other evaporite sequences provide the opportunities offered
by WIPP underground exposures; crucially, ready access to undeformed beds.
A WIPP DUSEL site provides unique opportunities to address far-reaching
earth science and engineering questions. Some examples are provided below.
Earth sciences and engineering
Detailed studies at a Carlsbad DUSEL component would
include:
- additional age dating to confirm the location of the
Permian-Triassic boundary.
- geologic, geochemical, and isotopic studies to evaluate the
end Permian environments and conditions bounding the
mass-extinction.
- interdisciplinary studies in support of geobiological
research on Permian bacteria and their genetic changes
through the Permian extinction.
EarthScope is a bold undertaking to apply
modern observational, analytical and
telecommunications technologies to
investigate the structure and evolution of
the North American continent and the
physical processes controlling earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions.
InSAR
PBO
SAFOD
USArray
EarthScope is funded by
the National Science
Foundation and conducted
in partnership with the
U. S. Geological Survey
and NASA
The EarthScope Scientific Vision
EarthScope is inspired
by the need to address
longstanding and
fundamental questions
about the forces that
continue to shape our
dynamic Earth.
EarthScope's network
of multipurpose
geophysical
instruments and
observatories will
significantly expand
capabilities to observe
the structure and
ongoing deformation of
the North American
continent.
EarthScope - Transportable and Fixed Seismic
Instrumentation, GPS and Strainmeters
Placement of EarthScope instrumentation in WIPP/DUSEL
is would be an ideal scenario for both projects
• Gridded sampling giving
e.g., earthquake
locations, tomographic
models, GPS velocities,
strain
Integrated analysis to
derive 4-D models of the
lithosphere is a major
science driver in
EarthScope
The advantages of an underground
geophysical observatory at
WIPP/DUSEL
Synergy with EarthScope
Lost cost and ease of installation
The instruments are small and portable
Monitoring underground and at the surface simultaneously
provides a unique opportunity to study near surface effects on
a variety of geophysical signals
A unique opportunity for the measurement of “in situ” physical
properties
Measurements would have implications at scales ranging
from meters to 10 of kilometers
30-year plan for DUSEL at Carlsbad
Three central scientific observations may be achieved using a
multipurpose detector in DUSEL at depths available at the Carlsbad
facility:
- A search for proton decay to 1035 years lifetime in key decay channels
such as
p  K   
- Study of the properties of neutrino mixing including the detection of CP
violation and resolution of the hierarchy of neutrino masses using a
VLB neutrino beam from a U.S. accelerator (BNL/FNAL) at a distance
of about 2000 km.
- Detection of multi-flavor neutrinos from a galactic type II supernova
explosion.
30-year plan for DUSEL at Carlsbad
The LANNDD 70 kT Liquid Argon detector concept [48] was recently reviewed by SAGENAP 2004 with
these conclusions from the report:
The Liquid Argon Neutrino and Nucleon Decay Detector (LANNDD) is a concept for a large liquid argon
drift chamber in the 100-kton range. Such a detector would have very good track and vertex
resolution (few mm) compared to water Cherenkov detectors (10’s of cm). It could be realized by
scaling up the design of the existing ICARUS 600-ton modules to longer drift distances and larger
module volumes. The potential capabilities of a liquid argon detector cover a wide range of physical
applications.
In addition, there are potential improvements in sensitivity in the search for proton decay. For some
important modes (such as p  K+), the daughter particles are below the water Cherenkov threshold
and hence a traditional large water detector has low sensitivity. In contrast, a liquid argon detector
would observe these particles. Also the detection of e’s from galactic and relic supernovae, via the
charged-current interaction with argon (e + 40Ar  40K* + e-), would be better in liquid argon.
SAGENAP believes that liquid argon detectors have an important role to play in future neutrino
experiments and could make substantial contributions to the effectiveness of a neutrino factory and
in the search for proton decay.
The subpanel supports the idea of an R&D effort to build a 5-m test chamber to investigate the technical
feasibility of a large-volume liquid argon detector, but with the following reservations: the safety of
kiloton volumes of liquid argon in an underground chamber has not yet been established to levels
required by WIPP or any other national laboratory.
Preliminary requirements for a LANNDD type detector at DUSEL
A bit more about LANNDD
The development of Liquid Argon TPC Detectors goes back to L. Alvarez and
was studied by H. Chen and C. Rubbia in the 1970s. In the early 1980s the
ICARUS project was born. The first 600 ton detector is now at the Gran
Sasso Laboratory and 2400 tons of detector are planned (1200 tons now
under construction).
In 2006 the CERN Neutrino Beam to the Gran Sasso will start to operate.
This will give us the first full study of neutrino interactions in liquid
Argon.
It is time to plan multi-two-ton detectors. Recently the NuSAG committee
has been set up by DOE and NSF. One of the charges is a multi-kiloton
LAR detector.
R&D for Very Large Liquid Argon Detector
There is a worldwide effort now (beyond ICARUS) to carry out R&D studies
at:
-
- ETH Zurich: Very large drifts (20m)
- CERN/UCLA: LANNDD 5m detector
- FNAL: Studies of large structures for LAR
LANNDD – 5m: The UCLA/Pisa/Granada groups have started a study of
long drifts using the LANNDD-5m detector at CERN
It is essential that along with the DUSEL program a powerful R&D effort be
mounted for the various detectors (EXO, LANNDD, OMNIS,
MAJORANA, SUPER CDMS, ZEPLIN IV/Max, XENON, etc.).
LANNDD time plan and milestones
Cryostat, inner detector, cryogenic and vacuum circuitry,
acquisition electronics, high voltage completed by half
2005
Functional tests (tightness, thermal insulation, argon
purity, high voltages) by October 2005
Cosmic ray by end 2005
Muon beam test by middle 2006
Underground operation at WIPP site by ~ 2007
Education and Outreach- NSF “Criterion Two” Broader Impacts
This project for a DUSEL component at Carlsbad will develop an
education and outreach (E&O) program that takes full advantage
of the site location in an NSF EPSCoR state (New Mexico), an
hour’s drive from the world famous Carlsbad Caverns. A broad
cross-section of the U.S. population is represented in visitors to the
area, and international visitors are common. The Carlsbad
DUSEL program will partner with the National Cave and Karst
Research Institute (NCKRI) to develop an E&O program. A
visitor center in Carlsbad and/or at the Carlsbad Caverns would
be the focus of programs in which scientists from DUSEL would
visit local-area schools and other institutions to stimulate interest
in the science being conducted at the site. Student research
programs, which will form an important part of the outreach
effort, would also be coordinated through the visitor's center.