Belgatom to participate to ANDRA feasibility studies related to the future French deep geological final disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste

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Last October, ANDRA awarded the feasibility studies related to the vertical and horizontal transport systems of the deep geological final disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste to a consortium formed by Coyne et Bellier, Deilmann-Haniel and Belgatom (leader).

Further to the conceptual studies, the associated risk assessment , safety analysis and cost estimates will also be performed.

In the framework of the on-going Research & Development projects to propose a solution for the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste, the French Government has entrusted ANDRA (Agence Nationale pour la gestion des Déchets RAdioactifs) with the feasibility studies related to the deep geological final disposal facility in deep clay layer.

The objective of ANDRA is to present to the French Government by 2006 a report that will demonstrate the feasibility of the project.

To meet this target, ANDRA launched several bidding processes last Spring in order to choose the engineering companies that will support them.

Last October, the lot 3 "Mining Mechanics" was awarded to a consortium formed by Belgatom (leader), Coyne et Bellier and Deilmann-Haniel.

Belgatom, the sales and marketing vehicle for the nuclear engineering capabilities of its shareholders Tractebel and Belgonucleaire, offers the whole range of nuclear engineering services all over the world, from design to decommissioning, for all types of nuclear installations, including radwaste facilities.

Coyne et Bellier is a French company owned by Tractebel Engineering and mainly involved in large infrastructure works like tunnels and dams.

Deilmann-Haniel, a German company, is specialized in mine shaft sinking and mining equipment, and in railway systems.

The lot 3 studies deal with the vertical and horizontal transport systems of the final disposal facility. The associated risks and safety analysis and cost estimate will also be performed. All the items to be transported in the facility are part of the studies:

• the materials related to the construction works (muck and concrete);
• the personnel;
• the radwaste packages;
• the maintenance tools and equipment;
• the materials related to the closure of the storage gallery (backfill and bentonite).

The initial planned duration of the studies is 20 months.

Belgatom's participation in those studies, will allow us to further demonstrate our ability to support the design of repository concepts for final waste disposal and to remain at the cutting edge in that field.

Want to know more ? Requiring specific information ? mailto:radwaste@tractebel.com

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