PROJECT RESULTS / Annual Technical Results
Year 5 : ESDRED TECHNICAL RESULTS to January 2009
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 47 km. According to the present planning the testing of the equipment will continue at least during 2009 and 201. 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 is now installed at the Technical Centre at Bure URL 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 47 km and the operation of the deposition equipment will continue at least during 2009 and 2010.
The only activity during the reporting period has been the preparation of the final technical report of the three full scale demonstrators, Module 3-WP5-D6: "Evaluation and final report" which was delivered to the EC in September 29, 2008.
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 installed at the Technical Centre at Bure URL site.
