78. 



which could also serve as sources of diluent; 



5. That prior to the introduction of nuclear waste liquids into 

 the reservoir, the problems of heat dissipation, clogging of reservoir 

 space, and chemical reaction with the reservoir rock and fluids be 

 evaluated. 



CHAIRMAN HESS: Does anyone wish to discuss this report or 

 offer any amendments ? 



If not, I will call on Dr. John Frye to present the report of the 

 committee on surface disposal. 



Dr. John C. Frye 



Chief, State Geological Survey 



Urbana, Illinois 



DR. FRYE: The committee on the study of shallow disposal 

 recommends: 



1. Disposal of waste materials in solid form is preferable to 

 any suggested methods of disposal of liquids. The most desirable 

 form appears to be a sinter or brick in which the fission products are 

 fixed. In this form the material can be disposed of in shallow covered 

 trenches in many places. Second choice would be waste materials 

 evaporated to dryness, solids but soluble. Such materials could be 

 packaged in metal containers and stored in shallow mines or under- 

 ground vaults that are relatively dry. If feasible, different elements 

 should be packaged separately. It seems highly desirable that research 

 along both of these lines be pursued as rapidly as possible. 



2. Until concentration in solid form becomes feasible, disposal 

 of liquid wastes at relatively shallow depths maybe possible under cer- 

 tain conditions . 



"Shallow" proved to be a slight misnomer, because in considering 

 mines, depths as great as 6,000-7,000 feet were contemplated. How- 

 ever, most of the excavations are relatively shallow in comparison to 

 deep disposal methods considered by the other group. 



The work of the committee was concentrated on item 2 , and a 

 large range of geologic environments were studied. Many of these ge- 

 ologic environments were discarded by the committee as unsuited for 

 the disposal of liquids, but in order to record the possibilities that were 



