# US 11,443,864 B2 · Managing the disposal of high-level nuclear waste > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,443,864 B2 - Document ID: US11443864B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/904,517 - Filed: 2020-06-17 - Published: 2021-01-28 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-23 - Applicants: Henry Crichlow - Inventors: Henry Crichlow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11443864B2 ## CPC - G21F 9/34: Disposal of solid waste - G21F 5/14: Devices for handling containers or shipping-casks, e.g. transporting devices {loading and unloading, filling of containers (cranes, load-engaging elements or devices for cranes, capstans, winches or tackles B66C)} - G21F 9/30: Processing (separating different isotopes of the same chemical element B01D59/00) - G06Q 20/10: specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems - G21F 5/005: Containers for solid radioactive wastes, e.g. for ultimate disposal - G21F: PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR (radiation protection by pharmaceutical means A61K8/00, A61Q17/04; in cosmonautic vehicles B64G1/54; combined with a reactor G21C11/00; combined with X-ray tubes H01J35/16; combined with X-ray apparatus H05G1/02) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A method for managing disposal of high-level nuclear waste (HLW) may include: generating electrical power from nuclear fuel; producing HLW as a byproduct from generating the electrical power; encapsulating the HLW within waste-capsules, forming a deep geologic repository for disposing of the encapsulated HLW; and/or loading the HLW into lateral wellbore(s) of the deep geologic repository. The method may also include other steps such as, but not limited to: surface storage and transporting steps of the HLW; licensing steps; receiving payments; closing the deep geologic repository; monitoring, maintaining and/or providing security with respect to the deep geologic repository; and/or using the deep geologic repository for either temporary HLW disposal or permanent HLW disposal. At least some of the steps in the method may be carried by a nuclear power generating company and/or agent(s) thereof; such that the nuclear power generating company takes an active role in the disposal of HLW. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for managing disposal of high-level nuclear waste, the method comprising steps of: (a) generating electrical power from nuclear fuel; (b) generating the high-level nuclear waste as a byproduct of the step (a); (c) encapsulating predetermined amounts of the high-level nuclear waste within waste-capsules; (d) forming a deep geologic repository, wherein the deep geologic repository comprises at least one lateral wellbore within a deep geologic rock formation, wherein the at least one lateral wellbore is configured to receive the waste-capsules, wherein the deep geologic rock formation is located at least 5,000 feet below a surface of the Earth; and (e) loading the waste-capsules, with the predetermined amounts of the high-level nuclear waste, within the at least one lateral wellbore. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (a) and the step (b) are carried out by at least one nuclear generating power utility company. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one nuclear generating power utility company contracts with at least one nuclear waste disposal company; wherein the at least one nuclear waste disposal company is contracted to handle and carryout at least one of: the step (c), the step (d), or the step (e). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one nuclear generating power utility company retains oversight over the step (c), the step, (d), or the step (e). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to the step (c), the method further comprises a step (f) of storing at least some of the high-level nuclear waste at or near the surface of the Earth. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the step (f) occurs in pools, ponds, casks, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the step (a) and the step (b) are carried by at least one nuclear generating power utility company; wherein the at least one nuclear generating power utility company contracts with at least one nuclear waste disposal company; wherein the at least one nuclear waste disposal company is contracted to handle and carryout the step (f). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to the step (e), the method further comprises a step of transporting at least some of the waste-capsules to a site with at least one vertical wellbore that is physically linked to the at least one lateral wellbore. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the step (a) and the step (b) are carried by at least one nuclear generating power utility company; wherein the at least one nuclear generating power utility company contracts with at least one nuclear waste disposal company; wherein the at least one nuclear waste disposal company is contracted to handle and carryout the transporting step. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to the step (e), the method further comprises a step of receiving approval to use the deep geologic repository formed in the step (d), as a repository for at least some of the high-level nuclear waste, wherein the approval is from a governmental agency with jurisdiction over the deep geologic repository. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein at least one nuclear generating power utility company receives the approval to use the deep geologic repository as the repository for the at least some of the high-level nuclear waste. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the step (e), the method further comprises a step of transferring ownership of the high-level nuclear waste within the at least one lateral wellbore of the deep geologic repository. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein a government receives the ownership of the high-level nuclear waste within the at least one lateral wellbore. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the step (e), the method further comprises a step of receiving at least one payment as compensation for at least one of: the step (c), the step (d), or the step (e). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one payment is received from a government. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one payment is received with at least one nuclear generating power utility company. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the step (e), the method further comprises a step of closing the deep geologic repository. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the step (e), the method further comprises a step of maintaining, monitoring, and providing onsite physical security with respect to the deep geologic repository. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the step (e), the method further comprises a step of using the deep geologic repository as either temporary disposal or permanent disposal of the high-level nuclear waste located within that deep geologic repository.