Nuclear chimney radioactive waste disposal

Abstract

Abstract Aqueous fluidic forms of radioactive wastes are introduced into lower portions of a nuclear chimney wherein water is vaporized therefrom by radioactive decay heat and concentrated wastes are accumulated therein. High level wastes, low level wastes including particulates filtered from the steam and portions of the condensed steam serving as a coolant are introduced over an extended period of time in amounts proportioned to maintain chimney contents at a low temperature level. When sufficient wastes have accumulated input of coolant and radioactive waste is terminated and the cavity may be sealed after vapor output terminates. Radioactive heat output then is employed to melt the chimney contents and rock adjacent to the chimney portions so as to incorporate the radioactive materials into the molten rock. After radioactive heat output diminishes to a level insufficient to offset heat diffusion into the formation the molten mass solidifies permanently trapping the residual radioactivity in an insoluble matrix.

Inventors

• 👤 Jerry J Cohen
• 👤 Arthur E Lewis

Bibliographic Details