PROJECT MODULES
- Module 3 -
Heavy Load (5 to 50 metric tons) Emplacement Technology for Horizontal Disposal Concepts
The challenge: design and construction of various prototype demonstrators for the horizontal emplacement of heavy loads including prefabricated buffers, spent fuel canisters and super-containers.
Horizontal emplacement of a super-container (including buffer material and the spent fuel canister) or of a large assembly of prefabricated bentonite buffer rings (see # 1) is required in some disposal concepts.
In order to reduce the friction forces which exist when pushing such heavy cargoes, the option of air or water cushion technology is considered. This technology is widely used in civil engineering with pressurised air or water injected in between two flat horizontal surfaces.
The challenge is to demonstrate the feasibility of heavy cargo emplacement through air or water cushion technology between two cylindrical surfaces (the cylindrical shape of the surfaces does reduce the uplift capacity of the cushions with respect to horizontal surfaces).
The type and flow-rate of fluid must also be compatible with the repository environment.
Application of air or water cushion technology for cylindrical container emplacement
1° The cargo rests on the lifting device
2° Pressurised fluid is expelled through the lifting device and the cargo is lifted up
3° Once the cargo is lifted up by the fluid cushion, the friction is reduced and a small force can move the cargo horizontally
Download: ESDRED-Module 3 pdf
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