Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the continuous formation of slurry. The apparatus includes a hopper to receive particulate material; one or more transport/mixing assemblies that mix and transport the solid material and a carrier liquid; and a mixing/averaging tank that receives the solid/liquid mixture from the transport/mixing assembly and performs a final mixing and averaging of the mixture to achieve a desired slurry consistency. An auger inside the tank continuously mixes and shears the slurry. The tank has one or more outlet ports to continuously discharge the slurry. The auger may be bi-directional, to direct the slurry towards dual outlets on opposing ends of the tank. Preferably, a reciprocating screen deck is provided to eliminate oversized particulates before the mixture enters the mixing/averaging tank. Carrier liquid is introduced at several points in the process, including into the transport/mixing assemblies, at the screen deck, and into the mixing/averaging tank.

Abstract: Injection of slurried wastes is carried out within deeply buried strata. Appropriate target strata are identified in terms of sufficient porosity and permeability, and overburden that includes permeable and impermeable strata. Slurry is injected at sufficient pressure to establish fracturing within the target strata. The injection pressures and the resulting waste pod are monitored by a suite of monitoring procedures, including bottomhole pressure and surface uplift. The injection is carried out in a series of injection episodes separated by interinjection episodes. Apparatus for preparing and injection the slurry include a mixing chamber, a partly encased well and a bottomhole pressure gauge. Process monitoring apparatus controls the operation of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises a probe for measuring snow pack movement, comprising a mobile element adapted to contact and be displaced by the snow pack, a static element linked to the mobile element by linkage means and adapted to remain stationary relative to the ground, and measuring means to measure relative movement of the two elements. The mobile element comprises a wand (16; 166) adapted to be placed in contact with a snowpack and having tilt means (20(a); 20(b); 168) that permit the wand to tilt away from the vertical in response to lateral movement of the surrounding snow pack. The measuring means comprises a movement sensor (50; 170) connected to the wand that measures the resulting movement of the wand. Data relay means transmits electronic signals generated by the movement sensor to a remote data collection and storage means.