B09B1/008

High-density subterranean storage system for nuclear fuel and radioactive waste
11728061 · 2023-08-15 · ·

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.

Closure methods for mines

Treatment technology directed to using mine waste as a raw material to manufacture a mine filling product for use as a suitable precursor product or mine filling product to be used as a backfill material to close a mine. The precursor product or mine filling product retains its metals and is not be able to generate acidity. According to the disclosure, the precursor product or mine filling product, when placed in a mine, may also remove metals from mine fluids in the mine it contacts, and still retain the metals it hosted when it was a mine waste prior to it being used as a raw material to manufacture the precursor stowing backfill product.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOW LEVEL WASTE DISPOSAL
20220134397 · 2022-05-05 ·

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.

SELF LOADING WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS AND METHOD
20220023925 · 2022-01-27 · ·

Self-loading systems and methods for disposal of waste materials in a deep underground formation may include at least one wellbore that runs from the Earth's surface to the deep underground formations, wellbore viscous fluid within that at least one wellbore, and at least one waste capsule, wherein the at least one waste capsules houses some waste and is configured to fall within both the at least one wellbore and the wellbore viscous fluid. The systems and methods may also include at least one human-made cavern located in the deep underground formation and connected to the at least one wellbore, wherein the at least one human-made cavern may be configured to receive the at least one waste capsule. The systems and methods may also include a counter for counting waste capsules and/or a robot for dropping waste capsules into a wellhead leading to the at least one wellbore.

SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR GEOLOGICAL SEQUESTRATION OF CARBON-CONTAINING MATERIALS
20210355791 · 2021-11-18 ·

This disclosure relates to a method and a system for sequestering carbon-containing materials in underground wells. An example method includes: obtaining a material comprising a carbon-containing liquid; optionally testing the material for compatibility with an underground well; optionally adjusting a property of the material to improve the compatibility; and providing the material for injection into the underground well.

Self loading waste disposal systems and method

Self-loading systems and methods for disposal of waste materials in a deep underground formation may include at least one wellbore that runs from the Earth's surface to the deep underground formations, wellbore viscous fluid within that at least one wellbore, and at least one waste capsule, wherein the at least one waste capsules houses some waste and is configured to fall within both the at least one wellbore and the wellbore viscous fluid. The systems and methods may also include at least one human-made cavern located in the deep underground formation and connected to the at least one wellbore, wherein the at least one human-made cavern may be configured to receive the at least one waste capsule. The systems and methods may also include a counter for counting waste capsules and/or a robot for dropping waste capsules into a wellhead leading to the at least one wellbore.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING CARBON IN SOIL
20230338998 · 2023-10-26 ·

An assembly and method for sequestrating carbon into a soil by grinding a crop waste into a ground material and converting the ground material into a plurality of pellets. The pellets are passed into the soil with a tine assembly or a trenching assembly. The tine assembly has a hollow, elongated body movable between a retracted position wherein a second end is spaced above the soil and an extended position wherein the second end is positioned a distance below the surface of the soil. A gate is pivotally connected to the second end of the elongated body to be movable between a closed position, wherein the gate retains the pellets in the elongated body, and an open position, wherein the gate is positioned away from the second end of the elongated body to permit passage of the pellets from the bore and into the soil.

Self loading waste disposal systems and method
11801539 · 2023-10-31 ·

Self-loading systems and methods for disposal of waste materials in a deep underground formation may include at least one wellbore that runs from the Earth's surface to the deep underground formations, wellbore viscous fluid within that at least one wellbore, and at least one waste capsule, wherein the at least one waste capsules houses some waste and is configured to fall within both the at least one wellbore and the wellbore viscous fluid. The systems and methods may also include at least one human-made cavern located in the deep underground formation and connected to the at least one wellbore, wherein the at least one human-made cavern may be configured to receive the at least one waste capsule. The systems and methods may also include a counter for counting waste capsules and/or a robot for dropping waste capsules into a wellhead leading to the at least one wellbore.

HIGH-DENSITY SUBTERRANEAN STORAGE SYSTEM FOR NUCLEAR FUEL AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE
20230386693 · 2023-11-30 ·

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.

Systems and methods for low level waste disposal
11517949 · 2022-12-06 ·

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.