RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

absorbs neutron radiation. The lid and bottom contain a neutron-absorbing mat, which also acts
as an extra shock cushion for the canister inside the cask. The lid, which seals against the cask
shell, may be either bolted or threaded. The weight of the cask, including lid, will be around
40 tonnes, total weight with canister and transport frame about 75 tonnes. The weight of the
lid is 1.5–2 tonnes. The cask has lifting trunnions at both ends, bolted to the shell. The lifting
trunnions are used to lift the cask and to fix it in a horizontal position.
Ship, transport frame and terminal vehicle
Eventually a new ship will have to be procured to succeed m/s Sigyn. Even though this will
not be in the near future, the ship will probably have been in operation for a long time before
the canister shipments commence. These will not affect the operation of the ship at all if the
deep repository is located in Oskarshamn. The new ship will be designed for continued fuel
and waste shipments and will serve the same purpose as the present ship.
During and awaiting transport, the cask rests on a transport frame with supports for the lifting
pins. The transport frame will be comparable to those used today, i.e. it will be able to be
handled by the terminal vehicle. Figure 9-3 shows a transport frame with a core component
cask.
The vehicles used today will eventually fall victim to age, see section 9.3.2, but otherwise no
dramatic changes are planned in the technology of overland transport. The heavy units require
large vehicles with many axles.
Roads
Existing roads will have to be strengthened and some new roads built in conjunction with the
construction of the deep repository, not least to accommodate all other transport during the
construction and operating phases.
According to the ongoing site investigations, we can assume for the time being that the
transport route to the deep repository’s reception building will be relatively short. This means
that transport at low speed does not entail any major problems. The overland transport can
therefore be compared to today’s overland transport between harbours and facilities. Planning
of roads and choice of exact route are included in the work during the site investigation phase.
Figure 9-3. Transport frame with transport cask for core components.
RD&D-Programme 2004 107