Architecture and management of a geological repository - Andra

9 – Nuclear operating resources in the repositoryFigure 9.3.19Principle of the function of the air cushions blowing upwardsThe two other functions (pushing the package and moving the empty air cushion transporter) arecarried out by an electric truck. This truck consists of a wheeled structure that moves the empty aircushion transporter. It is connected by an umbilical cable to the equipment fixed to the transfer caskthat supplies it with air and electricity. It is also connected by a cable to a return winch.The truck moves by means of small electrically motorised wheels. The packages are pushed by meansof a mechanical jack with a course of 1 m that moves the packages when they are in a state offloatation.The force needed for the movement is estimated to be less than 1 tonne to overcome resistance forcescaused by any defects that could occur along the path. The weight of the truck and the adherence of itswheels on the cell sleeve should overcome the reaction of the thrust when the jack is working.A first preliminary study has assessed the order of magnitude of the truck dimensions which are about7 metres long, of which 5.50 metres is used for the cradle equipped with air cushions and 1.50 metresfor the electric truck connected at the front.The time needed to complete a cycle over a path length of 1 metre is about 5 minutes.• The fixed equipmentAs in the case of C packages, the head of the cell is equipped with a shielded trap door activated by thetransfer cask doors.The fixed equipment specific to the working of the air cushion transporter consists of a return winch,an air compressor, a pneumatic pipe reel and an electric cables reel. This equipment can in part befixed to the transfer cask (winch and reels) and partly fixed to the docking shuttle (compressor).9.3.4.3 Description of the process of installation in the cellA cycle installing a type CU1 package consists of three stages following the same logical sequence asthat previously described for the vitrified wastes transfer cask.In the first stage, during the docking of the transfer cask, the doors of the shielded trap door and thetransfer cask are mechanically coupled. The transfer cask door drives the shielded trap door.DOSSIER 2005 ARGILE -ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF A GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL SYSTEM361/495