Hydraulic and earth engineering – Soil remediation – In situ contaminant removal or stabilization
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-14
2001-05-29
Bagnell, David (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Soil remediation
In situ contaminant removal or stabilization
C588S017000, C588S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238138
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to a method of disposing of nuclear waste and, more specifically, to disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations using multilateral boreholes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous methods for disposing of nuclear waste are provided in the art. For example, an existing disposal method for nuclear waste is to bury the waste in shallow vaults also known as deep vertical wells. This method places the waste in vertical silos drilled into a mountain by a tunnel boring machine. The storage chambers are to be drilled approximately 1,000 feet into the mountain and can cost billions of dollars.
Another method proposed for disposing of nuclear waste is burial of the waste in suitable canisters in mud in the bottom of the ocean. This method is dangerous as the canisters may rupture and pollute the ocean, killing life found in the surrounding area.
A further proposal for disposing of nuclear waste is to place the waste into specially designed modules and launch the modules into space using the space shuttle. The modules will then be propelled into the sun for final incineration. This system would cost many billions of dollars and thus is not very practical.
It has also been proposed to bury the waste in near surface trenches or wells as used in landfills. This approach is not viable due to the great danger associated with disposing of the waste so close to the surface where leakage of the waste may do great harm to all life in the surrounding area.
It has further been proposed to bury the waste in deep vertical wells which will be sealed with cement or mud.
Burying the waste in the polar ice caps whereby the great masses of ice could enclose and isolate the radioactive material has also been proposed.
The above described methods are all illustrative of prior art methods of nuclear waste disposal. While these methods may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with disposing of nuclear waste and, more specifically, to a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations using multilateral horizontal boreholes.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations which will provide prolonged safety from the nuclear waste and added protection to human health and the environment.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations which will provide protection in case of rupturing or leaking of the canister in which the waste is stored.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations which will provide safe storage of the waste for at least 10,000 years.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations which is impervious to surface effects such as flooding, glaciation or seismic interference.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations which will bury the waste in horizontally extending boreholes positioned well below the earth's surface.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations which will drill a primary vertical wellbore and secondary horizontal laterals extending therefrom.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations wherein the secondary laterals will include an inner lining made from layers of steel and lead.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method of disposing of nuclear waste in underground rock formations wherein front and end plugs will be placed within the secondary laterals for retaining canisters filled with waste.
A method of disposing nuclear waste in underground rock formations is disclosed by the present invention. The method includes the steps of selecting an area of land having a rock formation positioned therebelow. The rock formation must be 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 from the surface of the selected area which extends into the underground rock formation. A primary horizontal lateral is drilled from the vertical wellbore whereby the surface of the horizontal lateral is defined by the underground rock formation. A steel casing is placed within the horizontal lateral and cemented in place by circulating cement in the annular space between the steel casing and the wall of the wellbore. Nuclear waste to be stored within the lateral is placed in a canister and the encapsulated nuclear waste is positioned within the primary horizontal lateral. The primary horizontal lateral is then filled with cement to seal the encapsulated nuclear waste therein. Additional primary horizontal laterals can be drilled from the vertical wellbore and secondary and tertiary horizontal laterals can be drilled from the primary horizontal lateral. Additional layers of lead, cement and steel may be used to cover the laterals and shield the rock formation from any radiation leakage. Furthermore, front and end plugs may be positioned at either end of the laterals, retaining the canisters therein and providing added protection from leakage of any solid, liquid or gaseous material.
The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features will become apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments of the invention.
The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
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patent: 3108439 (1963-10-01), Reynolds et al.
patent: 4500227 (1985-02-01), Courtois et al.
patent: 4586849 (1986-05-01), Hastings
patent: 5133624 (1992-07-01), Cahill
patent: 5338493 (1994-08-01), Welch
patent: 5489740 (1996-02-01), Fletcher
patent: 5850614 (1998-12-01), Crichlow
Bagnell David
Kroll Michael I.
Lagman Frederick L.
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