101. 



Availability. There are numerous beds of salt in 

 the mid- continent area and hundreds of domes 

 along the Gulf Coast. Acquisition cost would be 

 low. 



Physical characteristics. Salt will flow under pres- 

 sure, and in the salt domes would be self-sealing 

 around cavities. Its high conductivity (about 

 twice that of most rocks) and relatively high 

 melting point (801° C at pressure of 760 mm Hg) 

 would help in heat dissipation. It was stated that 

 this type of storage could be developed at a cost 

 of $3.50 per barrel. 



b. Hazards and uncertainties. Cavities and mines in 

 bedded salt might be subject to cave -ins; the strength 

 of the roof rock would have to be carefully tested. 

 Seismic activity might fracture salt of the domes and 

 permit the escape of some -waste before the salt re- 

 sealed the fissure. 



c. Research needed. 



Extensive laboratory studies of salt under the 

 heat and pressure conditions that would exist. 

 Test also the idea of dissipating the heat by 

 making the salt cavity act as a reflux condenser. 



Determine size, shape, and spacing of cavities to 

 allow heat dissipation. 



Phase rule study of salt in presence of waste solu- 

 tions . 



Migration of cavity along lines of stress by differ- 

 ential solution. 



d. Conclusion. Solution cavities in salt domes are 

 probably the best potential sites for the disposal of 

 liquid wastes at shallow depths. Cavities in salt 

 beds are also good potential sites, but must be 

 viewed with more caution. Rather extensive labora- 

 tory tests will be necessary before disposal in salt 

 can be attempted, but this research is pretty 

 straightforward, and is pointed toward the question 

 of how to do it rather than whether it can be done. 



e. Significant parts of discussion on salt. 



