| 摘要 |
A method and system is disclosed for reversibly establishing a closed, flow-impervious cryogenic barrier about a predetermined volume extending downward from a containment site on the surface of the Earth. An array of barrier boreholes extend downward from spaced apart locations on the periphery of the containment site. A flow of a refrigerant medium is established in the barrier boreholes whereby water in the portions of the Earth adjacent to the barrier boreholes freezes to establish ice columns extending radially about the boreholes. The lateral separations of the boreholes and the radii of the ice columns are selected so that adjacent ice columns overlap. The overlapping ice columns collectively establish a closed, flow-impervious barrier about the predetermined volume underlying the containment site. The system may detect and correct potential breaches due to thermal, geophysical, or chemical invasions. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus for reversibly freezing a predetermined volume extending downward from a containment site on the surface of the Earth and for establishing and removing cells within that volume. An array of heat transfer devices is established in a stick-like fashion in the volume for systematically freezing and unfreezing portions of the Earth adjacent to the heat transfer devices. One embodiment of the disclosed heat transfer devices includes at least one heat transfer rod extending radially outwardly from the heat transfer device into the predetermined volume for establishing a horizontal layer of frozen earth beneath the containment site.
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