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Logistics Summary

This document demonstrates the logistics of the integration of inspection celland overpacking cell into the PGRC.

Package traffic throughout the whole system is illustrated, and the logisticsare broken down into two key phases. Phase 1 is the emplacement periodduring which packages are located in the vaults. Phase is the monitoringperiod in which the packages are monitored and cyclic inspection processesare performed.

Emplacement

Packages initially enter the repository through the inlet cell. !ere the packageis prepared for storage in the vault. "t is between here and the vault that thefirst stage of inspection is performed. The package will be transferred into itsdesignated vault via the transfer tunnel, however before emplacement it willbe transferred from the transfer tunnel to the inspection cell assigned to thatvault via the emplacement crane. !ere the package will be e#amined, anddata of that particular package will be stored for future inspection comparison$see %&. The package will then be transferred into the vault for long termstorage and further monitoring.

'ue to the process in which the vaults are filled $one at a time&, each

inspection cell must have the capability to deal with 1( packages per day inthe case of ) stillages, or 1* packages per day in the case of * stillages andone larger container $it is assumed a larger container will present greaterhandling+inspection difficulties& during the emplacement phase.

'uring this emplacement phase the inspection cell is unlikely to be used to itsfull capabilities $reworking etc&. urthermore the reworking element is likelyonly to be used in the case of dropped packages.

Monitoring

'uring its time in storage the package will undergo further inspection. This willbe carried out due to scheduled inspection or re-uested inspection which canarise from vault monitoring or e#ternal party demands. The package will betransferred to the inspection cell via the emplacement crane. The package isthen inspected for defects if defects are present the package will re-uireeither minor reworking $performed in the inspection cell& or transfer to therepacking cell. "f the defects are easily reparable reworking will be performedin the inspection cell, the package will then be re/inspected and transferredback to the vault via the emplacement crane. "f the defect is too severe for therework capabilities of the inspection cell, it will be transferred to the repacking

cell via the emplacement crane and the transfer tunnel. 0nce the package is

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repaired or over/packed it is returned to the vault via the transfer tunnel andthe emplacement crane.

The inspection selection will be a scheduled, cyclic process where the first

into the vault is first inspected. This however is open to review as it issuggested higher threat2 containers should be inspected more fre-uently.

Package Transport

The role of proven technology in the designs of the transport systems ishighlighted, with emphasis on using e#isting operational designs."mprovements to the transfer tunnel design are demonstrated to cope with theincreased package flow. 3#isting proven technology designs will be used forall cranes in the repository. "n the vault the overhead crane has the facility tolift stillages, *m* bo#es and *m* drums. 4ccurate crane positioning is of highimportance. This is achieved using high precision crane winding and

traversing carriage along with an optical encoding system.

Inlet Cell

Transfer

Tunnel

Inspection

Vault

Repackaging

Cell

  vault from inlet

  vault from inspection

  vault from repacking

  repacking from inspection

  inspection from vault

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Overhead crane at Sellafield

Maintenance

5aintenance procedures and fre-uency for cells and transfer tunnel isconsidered with reference to e#isting 6ire# specifications. 5aintenance of thefollowing areas will be re-uired throughout the life of the repository

- 7aults- Transfer tunnel- "nspection cell

- 0verpacking cell

6ire# reference case states that vaults will need to be refurbished every 188years. This value is used as a rough guide for cell maintenance.

Transfer Tunnel

The transfer tunnel cannot be replaced without significant construction in allareas therefore it is important it is maintained fre-uently. The current conceptdesign incorporates two transfer tunnels.

9etween transfer tunnels 1 and there is a shield wall. The tunnels are alsoseparately shielded from the inlet cell and repacking cell. This allows anindividual tunnel, or section of tunnel to be maintained whilst other sectionsremain in use. Transfer tunnel will be used most fre-uently as it is the primarytransfer route for packages travelling to the vaults from the inlet cell. "n thecase of maintenance of this tunnel, transfer tunnel , which is primarily usedfor transport of defected packages to the repacking cell, will be used for inlet :vault transfer.

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Transfer tunnel bogie at Sellafield

Ventilation

"ntegration of the inspection cell and overpacking cell with this system is fairlycomple#. 9oth cells have facilities involving the use of particulates whichcould contaminate waste packages, causing defects. Therefore airflow fromthese cells should not meet other flows before the return side, and in the caseof the vaults, after the outlet. The inspection cell is located at the front of eachvault this proves difficult to integrate from a view to optimising ventilation,therefore it is proposed the inspection cells re-uire a separate ventilationoutlet which bypasses the vault and re;oins the airflow at the end of the vault.This would be very simple to engineer ventilation pipes along the vault wallwould suffice.

The overpacking cell is located ad;acent to the inlet cell. This is very close tothe construction return therefore it is suggested the overpacking return shouldfeed into the construction return before leaving the repository.

"n both cells pressure differentials would be maintained to ensure that any airtransfer was from the inactive to active areas $6+8<=&

Safety features of cell designs

>afety features specific to the inspection cell + repacking cell design include- Transfer tunnel running through mid section of vault minimising

aggressive features and dropping distances.- 7entilation systems with pressure differentials to prevent personnel

e#posure or vault contamination.- ?se of proven technology in both cells.