An underground ventilated system for storing nuclear waste materials. The system includes a storage module having an outer shell defining an internal cavity and an inner shell. A majority of the height of the outer shell may be disposed below grade. The outer shell may include a hermetically sealed bottom. First and second canisters are positioned in lower and upper portions within the cavity respectively in vertically stacked relationship. A centering and spacing ring assembly is interspersed between the first and second canisters to transfer the weight of the upper second canister to the lower first canister. The assembly may include centering lugs which laterally restrain the first and second canisters in case of a seismic event. A natural convection driven ventilated air system cools the canisters to remove residual decay heat to the atmosphere. In one non-limiting embodiment, the shells are made of steel.

A tufted geotextile for covering a land surface, comprising a porous backing sheet densely tufted to provide simulated grass blades having interstices therebetween on a tuft gauge of about 20 tufts per foot to about 50 tufts per foot and the adjacent lines spaced about ¼ inch, the interstices for receiving an infill from the backing sheet to a fill plane to increase shading of the interstices by the tuft blades on the backing sheet while resisting hydraulic displacement and movement of the infill while overlying the ground surface for covering purposes. A closure system is disclosed using the tufted geotextile as a component overlying an impermeable geomembrane for resisting inflow of water below the ground surface.

An apparatus and method for endwise connecting subterranean barrier members is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least two barrier members with each barrier member extending between top and bottom edges. Further, each barrier member has a side first edge having a flange defining a first connector and an opposed second side edge having a channel defining a second connector. The channel is sized and shaped to receive the flange of an adjacent barrier member in slidable interconnection therein. The apparatus further include a first side panel shaped to lie against a first side of the barrier members, a second side panel shaped to lie against a second side of the barrier members and a bridging plate located between the first and second panel members so as to bridge a gap therebetween, wherein the gap has a width corresponding to a width of the first and second barrier members. The associated method is directed toward creating the apparatus.

The invention relates to a sealing wall building material, which has a binding agent with cement and aggregates. It is provided according to the invention that the binding agent comprises a mixture of cement and fly ash, wherein it is free of clay material, and that it has an impermeability with a kf value of 10.sup.−7 m/s and less.

A method for disposing of biomass waste. The method includes locating an abandoned mine having a first well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. Water is removed from a mine cavity through a second well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. The water from the mine is combined with a biomass waste that is at least 70 wt. % carbon to provide biomass waste entrained in the water. The biomass waste entrained in the water is pumped through the first well into the mine cavity to fill the mine cavity. As the biomass waste settles in the mine cavity, the water used to entrain the biomass waste is recirculated to combine with additional biomass waste.

A method of carbon and nitrogen sequestration includes excavating a ditch around a plot of land selected for use in carbon and nitrogen sequestration. Pumping out water filling the ditch from the ground water table. When material in the plot is dry, excavating material from the plot to a desired depth, and thereafter filling the excavated plot with organic material to sequester carbon and nitrogen in the organic material therein.

A method of carbon and nitrogen sequestration includes excavating a ditch around a plot of land selected for use in carbon and nitrogen sequestration. Pumping out water filling the ditch from the ground water table. When material in the plot is dry, excavating material from the plot to a desired depth, and thereafter filling the excavated plot with organic material to sequester carbon and nitrogen in the organic material therein.

A system for the storage of a radioactive waste product, wherein the radioactive waste product is located in a container and where one or more containers are stored in a bore hole drilled beneath a surface and having a bottom, wherein following placement of the one or more containers in the bore hole closer to the bottom, a fluid is added to the bore hole to a height above the upper most container, and wherein an upper cover is located above the upper most container and above the fluid to seal in the one or more containers and a non-permeable material is placed above the upper cover, a container storage area being formed within the bore hole beneath the upper cover.

A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.

A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.