Deep Bore Hole Disposal: A Modular Approach for Nuclear Waste

🕳️Deep bore hole disposal is a modular approach for nuclear waste disposal involving drilling a narrow and deep hole in the Earth and placing specially designed canisters of nuclear waste into the hole.

🧪The canisters used for deep bore hole disposal are narrow, about 12 inches or less, and are much more narrow than storage containers used in other methods of waste disposal.

🚰Deep bore hole disposal offers greater isolation from water sources compared to mined repositories, making it a potentially safer option for nuclear waste disposal.

🌍Deep bore hole disposal could be a modular disposal option for smaller waste forms and potential advanced reactor waste forms.

🌐Sandia National Laboratories is a world leader in deep bore hole disposal and collaborates internationally to lead the industry in concept development and safety analysis.

What is deep bore hole disposal?

—Deep bore hole disposal is a method of nuclear waste disposal that involves drilling a narrow and deep hole in the Earth and placing specially designed canisters of nuclear waste into the hole. The bore hole is then sealed with plugs, concrete, and earth materials.

How is deep bore hole disposal different from other methods of waste disposal?

—Deep bore hole disposal is different from other methods of waste disposal in that it involves drilling a narrow and deep hole specifically for nuclear waste disposal. The canisters used for deep bore hole disposal are much more narrow than storage containers used in other methods.

What are the advantages of deep bore hole disposal?

—Deep bore hole disposal offers greater isolation from water sources compared to mined repositories, making it potentially safer. It could also be a modular disposal option for smaller waste forms and potential advanced reactor waste forms.

What is Sandia National Laboratories' role in deep bore hole disposal?

—Sandia National Laboratories is a world leader in deep bore hole disposal. They collaborate internationally to lead the industry in concept development and safety analysis.

How does deep bore hole disposal contribute to solving the nuclear waste problem?

—Deep bore hole disposal provides a modular approach for nuclear waste disposal and could be a potential alternative for smaller waste forms and advanced reactor waste forms. By advancing this concept, Sandia National Laboratories and the Department of Energy aim to solve the nuclear waste problem and enhance the climate benefits and energy security of nuclear energy.

00:06Introduction to deep bore hole disposal and its potential for the nation's nuclear waste program.

00:20Explanation of deep bore hole disposal, including the drilling of a narrow and deep hole and the use of specially designed canisters for nuclear waste.

00:51Details about the design and dimensions of the canisters used for deep bore hole disposal, which are much more narrow than storage containers.

01:24Description of the process of lowering the canisters into the bottom of the bore hole and sealing it with plugs, concrete, and earth materials.

01:46Explanation of how deep bore hole disposal offers greater isolation from water sources compared to mined repositories.

02:20Discussion of the potential of deep bore hole disposal as a modular disposal option for smaller waste forms and advanced reactor waste forms.

03:00Introduction to the safety assessment process for deep bore hole disposal, including pre-closure and post-closure safety analysis.

04:00Overview of Sandia National Laboratories' role in deep bore hole disposal, including their expertise in bore hole characterization, operations, imp placement, and safety assessment.