Disposal of high activity power reactor wastes in salt mines: A concept and field scale demonstration

Abstract

One of the mose important advantages of a natural salt formation as a repository for radioactive wastes is its essential impermeability due to its plastic properties. To prove the feasibility of disposal in salt mines a conceptual design has been developed and a demonstration of the storage concept is being prepared in a 1000 ft eep inactive mine in Lyons, Kansas. Economic studies show that costs for an actual disposal operation would fall well within the range allowable for competitive nuclear power. In the demonstration irradiated fuel assemblies from the Engineering Test Reactor with serve as a source of radiation in lieu of actual solidified wastes. Two radioactive arrays (one in the existing floor to check problems in the use of abandoned mines, and one in a specially excavated area) will each contain 14 assemblies in 7 cans. An electrically heated array will serve as a control. Mine renovations and additions are complete, and initiation of the two-year test is scheduled for late 1965.