Architecture and management of a geological repository - Andra

9 – Nuclear operating resources in the repository• Choice of package handling equipmentThree options were investigated during the study. They are illustrated inFigure 9.3.1.Figure 9.3.1Types of handling equipment envisaged for B packagesThe first option envisaged is a ”shunter”. This machine consists of a vertical framework mounted onrails occupying the entire width of the cell. An on-board system allows lateral and vertical movements.Such equipment would require large-sized airlocks and an opening of full cross-sectional area for theairlock doors.The second option envisaged is a traditional fork-lift truck. This machine has a counterweight tobalance the load held by forks and jutting out in front. This counterweight would take up a largeamount of space especially in terms of length. In the case of the load in question (25 tonnes), thelength of a traditional fork-lift truck would be about 6 m. This length would require large-sizedairlocks to allow the truck to turn through 180° in the cell. The weight of such a machine would beabout three times the load to be lifted, i.e. about 75 tonnes for the heaviest packages.The third and final option studied is a fork-lift truck without a counterweight. This equipment ischaracterised by the fact that the centre of gravity of the load remains within the supporting polygonformed by the wheels. The counterweight is not needed and therefore the length is shorter. In the caseof the loads in question, the length of such a truck would be about 4 m. Its weight would be of thesame order of magnitude as that of the load to be lifted, i.e. about 25 tonnes.The comparison of these three options led us to prefer the truck without a counterweight that is calledthe "disposal truck" in the following paragraphs. This machine is characterised by a significantlyreduced size compared to the other solutions. It allows unused volume of the cell head to be reduced.It allows for easier movements during the operations of extracting the packages from the transfer caskand of preparing for installing in the cell. Its lower weight also makes it easier to recover it byemergency means in the event of a breakdown.DOSSIER 2005 ARGILE -ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF A GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL SYSTEM346/495