METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EARTH PENETRATION
Abstract
A nuclear reactor apparatus for penetrating into the earth's crust is described. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical nuclear core operating at a temperature that is higher than the melting temperature of rock. A high-density ballast member is coupled to the nuclear core such that the overall density of the core-ballast assembly is greater than the density of molten rock. The nuclear core is thermally insulated so that its heat output is constrained to flow axially, with radial heat flow being minimized. In operation, the apparatus is placed in contact with the earth's crust at the point desired to be penetrated. The heat output of the reactor melts the underlying rock, and the apparatus sinks through the resulting magma. The fuel loading of the reactor core determines the ultimate depth of crust penetration. (AEC)
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- OSTI Identifier:
- 4129016
- Patent Number(s):
- 3115194
- Assignee:
- U. S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01V - GEOPHYSICS
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-004011
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY; BARRIERS; EARTH; EARTH CRUST; HIGH TEMPERATURE; LIQUIDS; MECHANICS; REACTOR CORE; REACTORS; ROCKS; WELL LOGGING
Citation Formats
Adams, W M. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EARTH PENETRATION. United States: N. p., 1963.
Web.
Adams, W M. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EARTH PENETRATION. United States.
Adams, W M. Tue .
"METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EARTH PENETRATION". United States.
@article{osti_4129016,
title = {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EARTH PENETRATION},
author = {Adams, W M},
abstractNote = {A nuclear reactor apparatus for penetrating into the earth's crust is described. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical nuclear core operating at a temperature that is higher than the melting temperature of rock. A high-density ballast member is coupled to the nuclear core such that the overall density of the core-ballast assembly is greater than the density of molten rock. The nuclear core is thermally insulated so that its heat output is constrained to flow axially, with radial heat flow being minimized. In operation, the apparatus is placed in contact with the earth's crust at the point desired to be penetrated. The heat output of the reactor melts the underlying rock, and the apparatus sinks through the resulting magma. The fuel loading of the reactor core determines the ultimate depth of crust penetration. (AEC)},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 24 00:00:00 EST 1963},
month = {Tue Dec 24 00:00:00 EST 1963}
}