Tome Architecture and management of a geological repository - Andra

7 - Spent fuel repository zone• Emplacing equipmentThe emplacing equipment is designed to take the transfer cask conveyed by the transport vehicle andthen travel on tyres until reaching the position right above a disposal borehole, open the transfer cask,place the package in a disposal borehole by tilting the cask using a combined "rotation-shift"movement and finally place a bentonite plug on top of the package.It includes a fixed radiological protection chamber and a mobile circular radiological protection devicethat accommodates the transfer cask (Figure 7.6.3).The emplacing equipment dimensions are about 12 m long by 3.70 m wide by 4.60 high. Its unloadedweight is about 70 tonnes and 145 tonnes when loaded.Figure 7.6.3CU package emplacing equipment7.6.2.2 Transfer and cell emplacing processLoading the transfer cask is carried out vertically in the surface installations using its onboard clamp.Once closed, the transfer cask is lowered to the bottom via the package transfer shaft or the ramp. Thetransfer vehicle conveys it to the emplacing equipment.The following operations form the package emplacing sequence, illustrated in Figure 7.6.4:- transhipment of the cask into the emplacing equipment;- simultaneous shifting and tilting of the emplacing equipment;- package emplacement;- clay plug emplacement.The principle of simultaneously tilting and shifting of the emplacing equipment aims at minimisingdrift height.Dossier 2005 granite - ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF A GEOLOGICAL REPOSITORY216/228