In 2004 the European Commission launched an Integrated Project known as ESDRED (Engineering Studies and Demonstrations of Repository Design) in the 6th EURATOM Framework Programme. 13 waste management organizations and research insitutions from nine European countries are involved in this project. The main technical objective of ESDRED is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of some specific activities related to construction, operation and closure of a deep geological repository for high level radioactive waste. For this purpose, the work is organized in 4 technical modules related to the corresponding task. Modul 2 deals with high level radioactive waste canister transport and emplacement technologies. Focus has been given to the development and testing of emplacement technology for spent fuel in fuel rod canisters. DBE TECHNOLOGY GmbH is leading this modul.

At November 4-5, 2008, Die DBE TECHNOLOGY GmbH organised a workshop, to present the state of the art in transport and emplacement technologies for disposal canisters for vitrified waste and spent fuel to an expert auditorium. At the first day of the workshop experts from France (ANDRA), Great Britain (NDA), Belgium (ONDRAF/NIRAS), Sweden (SKB), Finland (POSIVA), Spain (AITEMIN), Switzerland (NAGRA) und Czech Republic (RAWRA) as well as from German nuclear industry (GNS) and from the technical university Bergakademie Freiberg discussed on the state of the art in repository technologies.

DBE TECHNOLOGY GmbH reported on the German reference concept on final disposal of high level waste, the R&D program on direct disposal of spent fuel and the recent demonstration test for borehole emplacement of spent fuel, that has been performed in the course of the ESDRED project:

• German HLW reference concept and R&D programme on Direct Disposal of Spent Fuel,
• Optimization of emplacement technology for spent fuel
  

At the second day, the participants of the workshop visited the test facility for borehole emplacement of spent fuel in Landesbergen (Nienburg municipality, northern Germany). Here, the emplacement procedure for a fuel rod canister in a simulated borehole has been demonstrated. All machines and components have been produced at full scale and will be evaluated in course of the test program with regard to their reliability.

Finally, the promoters as well as the participants agreed that the workshop was successful and has well met his objectives.

Here you will find photos from the workshop.