Patent ID: 8933289
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: G21F

Abstract:
1. A method of temporarily or permanently disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations, comprising the steps of a) electing an area of land having a rock formation positioned therebelow of a depth able to prevent radioactive material placed therein from reaching a surface of the area of land and of a predetermined distance from active water sources; b) drilling a vertical wellbore extending to a depth between 5,000 feet and 25,000 feet, from the surface of the area of land to extend into the underground rock formation; c) drilling a first primary lateral extending horizontally from the vertical wellbore whereby the primary lateral is defined by the underground rock formation extending to a distance between 500 feet and 40,000 feet; d) encapsulating nuclear waste to be stored in a canister for storage in the primary lateral; e) placing the encapsulated nuclear waste in the primary lateral and f) retrieving the encapsulated nuclear waste from the primary lateral when needed.