Radioactive waste disposal by hydraulic fracturing

Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1969 · Purdue Univ., Eng. Bull., Ext. Ser.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5980790

de Laguna, W

The use of hydraulic fracturing for the disposal of radioactive waste is a direct outgrowth of the use of hydraulic fracturing to stimulate the flow of oil wells. The method of hydraulic fracturing is described. Waste disposal by hydraulic fracturing requires much the same procedures and equipment as oil-well stimulation, despite the difference in purpose. It is clear that at any site, the attitude of the fractures will be determined by the local geology, and whether the fractures are to be vertical or horizontal must be established by field experimentation at the site in question. Results indicate that in Oak Ridge, at least hydraulic fractures and shale are horizontal. The composition of a suitable waste-clay- cement mix contains for each gallon of liquid waste 2.5 lb of Type II sulfate resistant Portland cement, 2.5 lb of fly ash, 1 lb of attapulgite clay, a half pound of illite clay, and in some mixes, about 0.002 lb of delta gluconolactone, a type of sugar. The Portland cement is the prime hardening agent. As it crystalizes into complex calcium aluminum silicates, it not only converts the mobile liquid into a nonmobile solid, but also locks into the solid matrix many of the fission products present in the waste.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Natl Lab
• OSTI ID: 5980790
• Journal Information: Purdue Univ., Eng. Bull., Ext. Ser.; (United States), Journal Name: Purdue Univ., Eng. Bull., Ext. Ser.; (United States) Vol. 137; ISSN PEXSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ATTAPULGITE
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
CLAYS
COMMINUTION
FRACTURING
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
ILLITE
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MINERALS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES