METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UNDERGROUND COOLING ENHANCEMENT FOR NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY

摘要

The present invention relates to the retrievable storage of high-level nuclear spent fuel (waste). Such waste, which generates heat as it decays, is packed in sealed containers (2) which are placed in a repository site comprising a tunnel or drift (5) in a geological rock formation (50) for permanent or long-term storage. Elongated, sealed cooling enhancement devices (7) are emplaced in boreholes (8) extending from the inside surfaces (16 a-b) of the drift (5) and carry heat from the location of the waste containers (5) to farther distances in the repository site. Applicable sealed cooling enhancement devices disclosed are heat pipes (7), thermal syphons (307), superconductor rods, and heat pumps (407).