Abstract Containers of radioactive material are placed in a well, so that the subterranean well lining absorbs much of the radiation from the containers. The heat generated by the radioactive material is transferred through the wall of the container through the wall of a vertically disposed heat tube having a cavity containing both water and water vapor, through the metal wick on the internal wall, and to the liquid water. The thus generated water vapor and/or steam flows upwardly within the cavity of the heat tube into the heat dissipation zone, which is cooled by atmospheric air. Such cooling condenses the steam to liquid water which flows downwardly to the heat absorption zone. The walls of the heat tube have such a low corrosion rate that reliable performance after weathering for many decades is assured. Some water may be radiolytically decomposed by the radiations from the radioactive material. Canisters of water synthesis catalyst are positioned in the vapor space of the heat tube to recombine the hydrogen and oxygen generated by such radiolytic decomposition of water. The system achieves a maintenance-free arrangement for heat dissipation during a period of decades until the heat generation is low enough to permit cheaper storage, such as in a cavern having subterranean surfaces able to dissipate heat at a rate greater than the radioactive material then generates heat.
A system for storage of containers for radioactive material, said system consisting essentially of: a. a lined subterranean well having a vertical axis extending up to a well head at about the earth's surface, there being at said well head, at least one access opening adapted to permit loading of containers into and out of the zone of said subterranean well; b. a metal heat pipe comprising a vertically oriented heat absorption zone adapted to absorb heat from said subterranean well, a heat dissipation zone adapted to dissipate heat to the atmosphere, a cavity extending into both the heat absorption zone and the heat dissipation zone, the walls of said heat pipe withstanding the pressure generated within said cavity by delays in heat dissipation from the heat dissipation zone, said cavity having a vapor space containing substantially only water vapor and water being the heat transfer fluid within said heat pipe, each wall of the cavity being an internal wall of said heat pipe; c. at least one container of radioactive material in heat exchange relationship with said heat tube in the subterranean heat absorption zone; d. a closure means for the well head of the subterranean well, such closure means having a heavy weight adapted to decrease the likelihood of inadvertent or unscheduled opening of said access openings or shifting of such closure means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A system for storage of containers for radioactive material, said system consisting essentially of: a. a lined subterranean well having a vertical axis extending up to a well head at about the earth's surface, there being at said well head, at least one access opening adapted to permit loading of containers into and out of the zone of said subterranean well; b. a metal heat pipe comprising a vertically oriented heat absorption zone adapted to absorb heat from said subterranean well, a heat dissipation zone adapted to dissipate heat to the atmosphere, a cavity extending into both the heat absorption zone and the heat dissipation zone, the walls of said heat pipe withstanding the pressure generated within said cavity by delays in heat dissipation from the heat dissipation zone, said cavity having a vapor space containing substantially only water vapor and water being the heat transfer fluid within said heat pipe, each wall of the cavity being an internal wall of said heat pipe; c. at least one container of radioactive material in heat exchange relationship with said heat tube in the subterranean heat absorption zone; d. a closure means for the well head of the subterranean well, such closure means having a heavy weight adapted to decrease the likelihood of inadvertent or unscheduled opening of said access openings or shifting of such closure means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 in which equilibria between the liquid water and water vapor is promoted by metal wicking at at least portions of the wall of the cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 in which the closure is thick enough to shield the atmosphere from upward radiation from the containers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 in which each container is hermetically sealed to prevent escape of gas from such container.