Objetivo
The R&D programme of the TSS project concerns the final disposal of spent fuel elements of nuclear power plants. The direct disposal provides the packaging of the fuel rods in self shielding Pollux casks and their emplacement in the drifts of a repository mine in rock salt. The remaining volume of the drifts is backfilled with crushed salt immediately after the emplacement of the casks.
A large-scale demonstration test is being carried out in the Asse salt mine to study the thermal and thermomechanical effects on the backfill and the surrounding rock salt in connection with this kind of storage. The test field is designed similar to a real repository. It comprises two parallel test drifts which are 3.5 m high and 4.5 m wide with a pillar of 10 m width between. In each test drift three dummy casks are deposited. The dimensions, weight and heat output of the casks correspond to real Pollux casks. They are equipped with electrical heaters operated at a thermal power output of 6.4 kW each. Additionally, the test field includes several observation and access drifts, from which a large number of boreholes extend into the vicinity of the test drifts, as do boreholes from the test drifts into the ambient rock salt. The boreholes as well as the backfill and the surface of the dummy casks are equipped with various measuring gauges.
The main objectives of the test are the study of the thermomechanical interactions of the heated casks, backfill and surrounding rock salt for the validation of thermal and thermomechanical computer models as well as the investigation of moisture and gas release due to heating and corrosion processes.
Work programme:
B.1 Thermomechanical effects in the backfill
B.2 Gas components in the backfill
Ámbito científico
Convocatoria de propuestas
Data not availableRégimen de financiación
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinador
85764 NEUHERBERG
Alemania