US 12,300,400 B2 · Systems and methods for low level waste disposal

Abstract

Open pit mine (OPM) structures are modified or built new for use in disposing of low-level radioactive/nuclear waste (LLW). A drainage system is added to the OPM to drain water, such as, but not limited to, rain water, out of a volume of the OPM and to a particular geologic zone located far below the OPM that is isolated away from the local water table. Cells are formed within the volume of the OPM that are configured to receive the LLW. Cells are added to the OPM from a bottom towards a top of the OPM. Void spaces around the LLW materials within the cells are filled in with a protective-medium to mitigate against radionuclide migration away from the LLW materials within the cells. The protective-medium may be a blend of carbon nanotubes and a foam cement slurry. The carbon nanotubes may be made from reacting ethylene with vermiculite.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for disposing of low-level radioactive waste, wherein the method comprises steps of:

(a) selecting or building at least one open-pit-mine;
(b) adding a water drainage system to the at least one open-pit-mine to convey water away from a volume of the at least one open-pit-mine, wherein the water drainage system comprises at least one water impermeable liner that lines at least a portion of a boundary of the at least one open-pit-mine;
(c) forming at least one cell within the volume of the at least one open-pit-mine;
(d) loading the at least one cell with at least one unit of the low-level radioactive waste;
and
(e) inserting a protective-medium into the at least one cell such that the protective-medium fills in void spaces around the at least one unit of the low-level radioactive waste.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for low level waste disposal

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for low level waste disposal

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20