RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

Figure 8-2. Work stations in the encapsulation plant.
The transfer canister is lifted out of the pool in the encapsulation plant into the radiationshielded
handling cell (3) by means of the remote-controlled handling machine in the cell. The
transfer canister is drained of water and placed in one of the two positions where the fuel is
dried. When the fuel has dried, the assemblies are lifted one at a time over to a copper canister.
The copper canister with canister sleeve stands in a radiation-shielded transport frame which is
docked from beneath to another part of the cell. During loading of the fuel, the copper canister
is fitted with a protective cover so that the copper shell’s joint surface will not be damaged.
Damage could cause problems during welding of the copper lid. When the canister is filled,
the steel lid is screwed onto the cast iron insert. The empty transfer canister is taken back to
the handling pool. Handling is done by remote control from a work station outside the handling
cell.
The connection between the copper canister and the handling cell is airtight to prevent the
outside of the canister from being contaminated and to prevent air from escaping from the cell
and spreading radioactivity to other parts of the plant.
The transport corridor (4) constitutes the connecting space between (and beneath) the different
cells where copper canisters are handled. The copper canister and the canister sleeve are moved
standing in a transport frame by an air cushion transporter. The transporter consists of a pallet
supported by a number of air cushions. The air cushions are supplied with air via a hose and
powered by batteries on board the transporter. The transport frame consists of a stand with
a radiation shield. The canister sleeve, in which the copper canister is placed, fits inside the
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