Patent Number: 062381385
Section: abstract

A method of disposing nuclear waste in underground rock formations (18). The method includes the steps of selecting an land area having a rock formation (18) positioned therebelow of a depth able to prevent radioactive material placed therein from reaching the surface and must be at least a predetermined distance from active water sources and drilling a vertical wellbore (14) from the surface into the underground rock formation (18). A primary horizontal lateral (20) is drilled from the vertical wellbore (14) with the surface of the primary horizontal lateral (20) defined by the underground rock formation (18). A layer of cement (30) is placed within the primary horizontal lateral (20) and a layer of steel (32) is secured within the layer of cement (30). Nuclear waste to be stored within the lateral is placed in a canister (38) and the encapsulated nuclear waste is positioned within the primary horizontal lateral (20). The primary horizontal lateral (20) is then filled with cement (48) to seal the nuclear waste therein. Additional primary horizontal laterals (20) may be drilled from the vertical wellbore (14) and secondary and tertiary horizontal laterals (24, 26) can be drilled from the primary horizontal lateral (20). Additional layers of lead, cement and steel may be used to cover the laterals and shield the rock formation (18) from any radiation leakage. Furthermore, front and end plugs (49, 50) may be positioned at either end of the laterals, retaining the canisters (38) therein and providing added protection from leakage.