Disposal of Radioactive Waste in Deep Silicate Rock

A method for disposing of nuclear-reactor wastes by in-situ incorporation in molten silicate rock is presented. In this method, liquid wastes are injected into a deep underground chimney and allowed to self-boil. The resulting steam is processed at the ground surface and recycled into a closed system. When waste addition is terminated, the chimney is allowed to boil dry, thereby solidifying the waste. The heat generated by the radioactive waste then melts the surrounding rock, which dissolves the waste. Finally, the rock refreezes, trapping the radioactivity in an insoluble rock matrix deep underground. This method has significant environmental and economic advantages over previously proposed methods.