Borehole sealing method and apparatus

Patent · Tue May 24 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:7096393

Hartley, J N; Jansen, G Jr

A method and apparatus is described for sealing boreholes in the earth. The borehole is blocked at the sealing level, and a sealing apparatus capable of melting rock and earth is positioned in the borehole just above seal level. The apparatus is heated to rock-melting temperature and powdered rock or other sealing material is transported down the borehole to the apparatus where it is melted, pooling on the mechanical block and allowed to cool and solidify, sealing the hole. Any length of the borehole can be sealed by slowly raising the apparatus in the borehole while continuously supplying powdered rock to the apparatus to be melted and added to the top of the column of molten and cooling rock, forming a continuous borehole seal. The sealing apparatus consists of a heater capable of melting rock, including means for supplying power to the heater, means for transporting powdered rock down the borehole to the heater, means for cooling the apparatus and means for positioning the apparatus in the borehole. 5 claims, 1 figure.

• Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration
• Patent Number(s): US 4024916
• OSTI ID: 7096393
• 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
BOREHOLES
CASKS
CAVITIES
CONTAINERS
COOLING
HEATERS
MANAGEMENT
MELTING
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POWDERS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
ROCKS
SEALING MATERIALS
SEALS
SOLIDIFICATION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT