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Feasibility studies and conceptual design for placing steel liner in long, horizontal boreholes for a prospective nuclear waste repository in tuff

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:59594
Sandia National Laboratories Report SAND83-7085 analyzed vertical and horizontal methods of drilling holes for emplacement of nuclear waste canisters in a repository in tuff. While the horizontal method showed a significant cost advantage, the risk of hole blockage due to rock falls is higher. This report addresses the possibility of emplacing a steel casing simultaneously with drilling the hole. It appears that a drill could be developed that could be removed for repair from a partially complete hole and then reinstalled to complete drilling. A conceptual design featuring an eccentric cutterhead was completed. Capital and operating costs, as well as an operational schedule, were developed for the drill unit. 2 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
Research Organization:
Robbins Co., Kent, WA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
59594
Report Number(s):
SAND--84-7209; ON: DE85014931
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English