RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

4.3 Qualification
Before the encapsulation plant and the canister factory are put into operation, qualification
(investigations showing that the methods meet stipulated requirements) of methods for
fabrication, welding and nondestructive testing of canisters will be carried out. Qualification
will be done to relevant criteria. A programme for qualification will be prepared and presented
in connection with the permit application for the encapsulation plant. The qualification work is
described in Chapter 7.
4.4 Encapsulation
In the mid-1990s, SKB presented a preliminary design of an encapsulation plant built adjacent
to Clab /4-1/. During the next few years we will conduct a systematic evaluation of the encapsulation
process and make improvements and simplifications where possible. Experience gained
from the Canister Laboratory will serve as a basis for the final design of the encapsulation plant.
Important factors in determining what the encapsulation process will look like are development
of the welding and testing technologies.
SKB will design the plant on the basis of the results of the above-mentioned technology development.
The design work will also be coordinated with the results of the EIA (environmental
impact assessment) process and the safety assessments and system analyses that are performed.
The programme for encapsulation is presented in its entirety in Chapter 8.
4.5 Transportation of encapsulated fuel to the
deep repository
A feasibility study of a transport cask for canisters with spent nuclear fuel was conducted in the
mid-1990s. An updating and more detailed design of this cask is currently under way. Customtailored
transport frames are needed for the new transport casks.
The operation of the deep repository and the encapsulation plant is based on more or less
continuous transport of sealed canisters between the two facilities. Since the encapsulation plant
is designed to seal 200 canisters per year, the transportation system must be able to handle this
number. The canisters will be transported by sea if the deep repository is located at Forsmark
and by land if it is located at Oskarshamn. Chapter 9 provides a more detailed account of
transport between the encapsulation plant and the deep repository.
4.6 Deep repository technology
In preparation for an application for a siting permit for the deep repository, work continues on
selecting methods for building and operating the deep repository and designing different parts
of it. The development work mainly includes:
• Rock mining and sealing technology for tunnels.
• Manufacture and emplacement of buffer.
• Handling technology for canisters.
• Backfilling and plugging of deposition tunnels.
Another area currently being studied is cleaning and sealing of boreholes. Exploratory holes
from the surface and from tunnels must be sealed no later than when the deep repository is
closed. Technology for retrieving canisters after initial operation has been developed and will
be tested in an ongoing full-scale test in the Äspö HRL. The complete programme for deep
disposal technology is presented in Chapter 10.
42 RD&D-Programme 2004