PROJECT RESULTS / Annual Technical Results
Year 4 : ESDRED TECHNICAL RESULTS to January 2008
Module 3: Heavy Load Emplacement technology for Horizontal Disposal Concepts
Summary :
For the SKB/Posiva part; the manufacturing of the KBS-3H Demonstrator (water cushion technology) was successfully finalized with CNIM at La Seyne-sur-Mer, France as well as the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) end February 2006. The KBS-3H deposition equipment was then dismantled and transported to Äspö HRL, Sweden, and was reassembled end March 2006 for commissioning and site testing. However, the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) was delayed about 10 months due to problems with the equipment. After equipment modifications, SAT was successful performed in February 2007. The equipment has since then been subject to extensive operation. The total length of the transport of the Super Container back and force in the 95 m long drift at Äspö HRL now exceeds 20 km. Some modification of the equipment had been needed but the general experiences of the equipment are very satisfactory.
For the ANDRA part; the demonstration (FAT and SAT) of the Spent Fuel Emplacement was completed in September 2006 and for the Bentonite Ring in January 2007 at the MECACHIMIE factory at Beaumont-Hague, France. The equipment has now been moved from the MECACHIMIE factory and is now installed in a temporary shown room in Limay in its Spent Fuel Emplacement configuration. The equipment will later be installed in the future show-room at Bure site.
Work completed during the reporting period:
The Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) for the KBS-3H deposition equipment was completed in February 2007 at Äspö HRL, Sweden. After SAT, the KBS-3H deposition equipment has been subject to extensive testing. The accumulated length of the transport with the Super Container in the 95 m long drift Äspö HRL now exceeds 20km.
The demonstration (FAT and SAT) of the ANDRA part was completed before this reporting period.
Reporting of the commissioning and demonstration (FAT and SAT) of the 3 full scale demonstrators, Module 3-WP4-D5: "Report on Emplacement/Transportation Tests" was delivered to the EC in August 21, 2007.
The installation of the KBS-3H deposition equipment in the niche at Äspö HRL, Sweden, is shown in the photo below.
The photo below shows the installation of the deposition equipment for the Spent Fuel Emplacement installed at Mécachimie's premises in Beaumont Hague (France) for CU1 waste (Spent Fuel Canister with a weight of 43t). This equipment is now installation at the temporary show room at Limay and will later on be moved to the Bure site.
Important Events Planned for 2008:
- Preparation of the "Final Technical Report" for Module 3, WP 5-Delivery D6, May 2008
- Contribution to the "Final ESDRED Project Report" for Module 6 – WP4-Delivery D6, January 2009.
- SKB will continue the testing of the KBS-3H deposition equipment during 2008 in order to get as much experiences as possible from the operation of the equipment.
- ANDRA plans to move the demonstration deposition equipment for the Spent Fuel Emplacement, now installed at Limay, to the show-room at Bure site as soon that information facility is ready.