Demonstration Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Solids in Lyons, Kansas, Salt Mine: Background and Preliminary Design of Experimental Aspects

Abstract

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The siting record: An account of the programs of federal agencies and events that have led to the selection of a potential site for a geologic respository for high-level radioactive waste

“…The experiments conducted during 1961-1962 at the Carey salt mine revealed that it was impractical to dispose of liquid HLW wastes in salt because of questions about vaporization, loss of containment, and M o n s with the rock (Bradshaw et al, 1964). Even before these experiments, consideration was given to solidification of reprocessing liquid HLWs by means such as vitrification.…”

“…With successful efforts at ORNL and Hanford to convert liquid HLW into solids for geologic disposal (see Appendix A), in 1962 the AEC requested ORNL to conduct a demonstration test in a suitable salt formation in an effort to establish the practicality of using salt deposits for the disposal of solidified wastes. The engineering and scientific objectives of this test included (1) the demonstration of waste-handling equipment and techniques; (2) the determination of gross effects of radiation (up to lo7 gray) on factors such as hole closure, floor uplift, and salt-pillar deformation within a temperature range of 100" to 200" C; (3) the determination of the radioIytic production of chlorine; and (4) the collection of data on the plastic flow of salt at elevated temperatures (Bradshaw et al, 1964). The latter information was to be used in the design of an actual disposal facility.…”

“…Although no formal siteselection studies were conducted by ORNL to identify a mine for this demonstration test, three additional sites were also Considered: (1) the Carey Salt Mine at Hutchinson, Kansas; (2) the Naval Air Station at Hutchinson, Kansas; and (3) the Project Gnome site in New Mexico (Bradshaw et al, 1964).…”

“…The Carey Salt Company ruled out the use of its Hutchinson mine, whereas the Naval Air Station was rejected by ORNL because of the need to develop a complete mine installation there, including shafts and hoisting equipment. Even though the Gnome site was on govemment-owned land, it was rejected because of the poor quality and nonrepresentative nature of the salt at that location and the potential for conflicts with other government agencies in using the site (Bradshaw et al, 1964).…”

“…Other, perhaps more marginal, geological advantages that were attributed to central Kansas were (1) the depth to the disposal horizon was shallower, (2) the thickness and areal extent were greater; (3) the area was in seismic risk zone 1 (i.e., expected minor damage); and (4) because extensive experimental work had already been done there, much more was known about the detailed nature and properties of the Kansas salt (Hutchinson Salt Member of the Wellington Formation). This latter information would be pertinent to the design of a repository (Bradshaw et al, 1964).…”