Site selection for a deep underground nuclear waste geologic repository
OwnerHenry Crichlowinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method, apparatus and system for location evaluation and selection of a site, capable of effectively implementing a deep geologic repository for the disposal and storage of high-level nuclear waste and evaluating the waste location by scientific and technical analysis incorporating human and social interaction are provided. In one aspect, engineering, drilling, geological, geographic, and demographic data associated with a plurality of prospective implementation locations and human knowledge and physical infrastructure may be utilized in determining most desirable implementation surface drilling operations.
Claims21
A selection process for siting at least one wellbore for receiving nuclear waste for delivery of the nuclear waste into at least one underground basement rock structure, the selection process comprising the steps of:
- (a) locating the at least one underground basement rock structure;
- (b) determining a boundary of the at least one underground basement rock structure;
- wherein within the boundary in a direction moving downwards with respect to a surface of land is at least some portion of the at least one underground basement rock structure and outside of the boundary in the downwards direction is substantially none of the at least one underground basement rock structure with respect to a first predetermined depth from the surface of land;
- (c) placing surface entry of the at least one wellbore outside of the boundary but proximate to the boundary;
- (d) drilling substantially vertically at the surface entry to a second predetermined depth;
- wherein this drilling forms a substantially vertical wellbore that is at least a portion of the at least one wellbore;
- (e) drilling substantially horizontally from the substantially vertical wellbore to form at least one substantially lateral wellbore;
- wherein the at least one substantially lateral wellbore is another portion of the at least one wellbore;
- wherein the at least one substantially lateral wellbore is drilled into at least a portion of the at least one underground basement rock structure;
- and
- (f) depositing the nuclear waste into the at least one substantially lateral wellbore that is drilled into the at least the portion of the at least one underground basement rock structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.