Selection and investigation of sites for the disposal of radioactive wastes in hydraulically induced subsurface fractures
Injection of intermediate-level radioactive wastes (specific activity of less than 6 x 10/sup 3/ ..mu..Ci/mL, consisting mainly of radionuclides, such as strontium and cesium, having half-lives of less than 50 years) mixed with cement into a thick shale formation is a promising and feasible disposal method. Hydraulic fracturing provides openings in the shale to accommodate the wastes. Ion exchange and radionuclide-adsorption materials can be added to the grout during mixing to further increase the radionuclide-retaining capacity of the grout. After solidification of the grout, the injected wastes become an integral part of the shale formation, and therefore the wastes will remain at depth and in place as long as the injection zone is not subjected to erosion and dissolution. Problems concerning safety of the disposal method are (1) the potential for inducing vertical fractures, (2) phase separation during and after the injections, (3) the reliability of methods for determining the orientation of induced fractures, (4) the possibility of triggering earthquakes, and (5) radionuclides being leached and transported by ground water. Theoretical considerations about inducing nearly horizontal bedding-plane fractures in shale are discussed, as are field procedures for site selection, safety, and the monitoring and operation of radioactive waste disposal. Case histories are used as examples to demonstrate the application of the theory and techniques of field operations. (JMT)
- OSTI ID:
- 6025232
- Journal Information:
- U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States); ISSN XGPPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Site selection and investigation for subsurface disposal of radioactive wastes in hydraulically induced fractures
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
520301 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Water-- (1987)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISORPTION
COMMINUTION
DISSOLUTION
EARTHQUAKES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FRACTURING
GROUND WATER
GROUTING
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INJECTION
INTAKE
INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
LEACHING
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
ROCKS
SAFETY
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEISMIC EVENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SHALES
SITE SELECTION
SOLIDIFICATION
SORPTION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER