DOE 2000. - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - U.S. Department of Energy

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 4
Facility Cask Rotating Device
The Design Class IIIA facility cask rotating device is a floor mounted hydraulically operated structure
designed to rotate the facility cask from the horizontal position to the vertical position for waste canister
loading and then back to the horizontal position after the waste canister has been loaded into the facility
cask (Figure 4.2-20). Hydraulic rams are attached to the center of the connecting beams of two rotating
arms. One end of each rotating arm is attached to a pivot point on the floor mounted structure. The other
end of each rotating arm latches to a pivot pin on the facility cask top shield valve enclosure. The
hydraulic rams extend to raise the facility cask to the vertical position and retract to lower the facility
cask to the horizontal position.
6.25 Ton Grapple Hoist
The Design Class IIIA grapple hoist is mounted to the ceiling of the Facility Cask Loading Room. The
hoist is gear driven by a two speed induction motor for operation at 8 and 24 ft (2.4 and 7.3 m) per
minute. A torque monitoring control system is provided to indicate output torque of the motor and to
furnish a signal to shut the hoist down if the load is excessive. In the event of a power failure, the
grapple hoist brakes are automatically set. Figure 4.2-21 shows the 6.25-ton grapple hoist, the shield
bell, and the stationary alignment sheave.
Stationary Alignment Sheave
The stationary alignment sheave (single cable pulley) is anchored to the Facility Cask Loading Room
ceiling above the cask loading station. The stationary alignment sheave is used to convert the horizontal
travel of the hoist cable to vertical travel of the facility grapple. The cable passes over the pulley and
down to the block in the top of the shield bell. The cable then extends back to the ceiling where it is
attached to the ceiling anchored tension load cell assembly. This arrangement provides a accurately
positioned vertical lift for the facility grapple even though there is a lateral shift of the cable on the hoist
drum. A limit switch, also part of the stationary alignment sheave, is mounted on a bracket attached to
the pulley housing is used to sense the upper travel limit of the shield bell.
Facility Grapple
The Design Class IIIA facility grapple (Figure 4.2-22) is a special lift fixture that is designed to engage a
standard WIPP pintle. The facility grapple has an axially mounted electrically operated actuator that
rotates a drive gear that drives three lifting lugs into or out of engagement under the WIPP pintle. In the
event of a power failure when the facility grapple was engaged on a lifting pintle, the lifting lugs would
automatically lock in place.
Telescoping Port Shield
The Design Class II telescoping port shield (Figure 4.2-23) is mounted in the floor of the Facility Cask
Loading Room, centered directly over the Transfer Cell ceiling shield valve opening. An electrical motor
driven jacking system is used to raise the telescoping port shield to mate with the facility cask lower
shield valve during RH waste canister transfer. The telescoping port shield has a 36 in (91.4 cm) inside
diameter for the RH waste canister to pass through.
4.2-14 January 28, 2003