Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB). On 16 March 2011, SKB submitted applications to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and to the Environmental Court to build the final repository for the 12,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel the nuclear power industry in Sweden needs to manage.
Unmanned Nuclear Waste Vehicle Magne
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| Credit: SKB |
In the final repository for both operation of the tunnels and deposit of the capsules the four-wheeled 100 ton fully loaded Unmanned Underground Vehicle (UUGV) will be used to align the canister in vertical position and lower it into the bentonite covered deposition hole. Unlike its predecessor the new deposition machine is not on rails, but on rubber tires. The nuclear waste UUGV can be moved between different tunnels in the repository and then it's easier with rubber wheels than if running on rails.
Security
Magne is equipped with both fire extinguishers and an automatic fire-extinguishing systems. Would Magne need emergency braking or stopped immediately during the deposition is done with the red emergency stop buttons in each corner. The machine can always be stopped within one meter on the emergency brakes when the speed is limited to 5 km / h (walking pace). To avoid puncture tires are filled with plastic foam. If the diesel engine would fail, the deposit still terminated by a built-in electric motor which is connected by cable
to the tunnel's power system. The deposit may also be supported in which made at any time and the capsule returned to the transfer station. All equipment, except vision cameras, can also be addressed in the shielded environment of a breakdown.
Autonomous operation and radiation shielding
Navigation in the tunnels are of the same type of laser-based control systems used for different types of mining vehicles. The system reads the tunnel contour, learns the route and will be run independently of the tunnel. All logic is built into the machine and monitoring the vehicle via a wireless security network. As in the case of nuclear activity is of course the requirements for safety extra high. All management is also fully shielded.
The navigation system is developed by the Finnish company Navitec Systems Oy. The machine's control system consists of CAN-bus-based modules and takes care of all the measurements and controls of the machine. At the top of the control system hierarchy there is a navigation system, which is responsible for driving the machine automatically onto the deposition hole for lowering the canister into the hole. The navigation system is based on the InfraFREE navigation system developed by Navitec Systems Ltd. for Sandvik Mining and Construction Ltd.
$ 19 Billion Nuclear Power Reactors Cost in Sweden
According to latest cost calculations, submitted by SKB to the Radiation Safety Authority, total costs are estimated to SEK 123 billion (USD 19,2) in current monetary value. The calculations have been based on 50 to 60 years operating time for nuclear power reactors. Approximately SEK 31 billion have already been spent on building and operation of existing facilities as well as on planning facilities for management and disposal including research and development.
Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB)
The Swedish nuclear power companies jointly established SKB in the 1970s. SKB’s assignment is to manage and dispose of all radioactive waste from Swedish nuclear power plants in such a way as to secure maximum safety for human beings and the environment. The assignment is so extensive that SKB sees it as one of Sweden's biggest environmental-protection projects
An interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (Clab) is near Oskarshamn. A final repository for short-lived radioactive waste (SFR) in Forsmark. Safe transport of the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants to the storage facilities is an important part of the system. Transport is by sea using the vessel M/S Sigyn.
