RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

The important milestones are:
• Applying for a permit for siting and construction of the encapsulation plant.
• Obtaining a permit for siting and construction.
• Applying for a licence for operation of the encapsulation plant.
• Obtaining an operating licence.
Once a decision has been made on the siting of the encapsulation plant, the following phases
are detailed design, construction, installation and commissioning. During the commissioning
period, SKB intends to apply for a licence for operation of the encapsulation plant.
Time horizon 2008
During the next few years, efforts will be focused on gathering supporting material for an
application for a permit for siting and construction of the encapsulation plant, assembling this
application and submitting it to the authorities – according to the timetable, in mid-2006. The
application will be for a co-siting with Clab. The alternative siting is Forsmark. A prerequisite
for siting the encapsulation plant at Forsmark is that the deep repository is also sited there, but
even in this case co-siting the encapsulation plant with Clab is SKB’s main alternative.
In order for the application to be submitted, the development work must have come so far
that encapsulation can be shown to be feasible with safety and reasonable efficiency. Figure 8
shows the implementation plan for this, and also indicates mutual links between activities and
important accounting occasions. The main activities during the period are as follows, with the
addition of activities besides the technical development work that are required before a permit
application can be submitted:
• Establish acceptance criteria for canister components and sealing welds.
• Refine welding methods for sealing of canisters and choose a main alternative.
• Refine and verify methods for nondestructive testing of fabrication and sealing of canisters.
• Draw up a plan for qualification.
• Fabricate and seal copper canisters on a scale and with a quality that can serve as a basis for
the safety assessment that is to accompany the application.
• Produce a revised system analysis in which an account of alternative methods for disposal of
spent nuclear fuel is given ample space.
• Produce a safety assessment (SR-Can) including revisions of methodology and taking into
account new findings from the development work regarding encapsulation.
• Design an encapsulation plant co-sited at Clab to a level that can serve as a basis for the
facility description that is to be included in the application.
• Produce supporting material for an encapsulation plant sited at Forsmark to a level that
permits a comparison, in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Code,
with the applied-for co-siting with Clab.
• Carry out statutory consultations.
• Produce an environmental impact statement.
• Assemble the application.
378 RD&D-Programme 2004