Specification of the feasibility study on retrieval
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) commissioned the DMT GmbH & Co. KG with the investigation of the optimal approach to retrieve the LAW waste packages. The objective of the order is to find out what basic mining approaches exist. Furthermore it will be considered which variants offer the ideal conditions for producing (driving) the retrieval galleries to the emplacement chambers. These galleries must also be connected to the planned Asse 5 recovery shaft and the areas of infrastructure to be built there.
Discussion of the specification with A2B and AGO
On 23 April 2013, a first version of the available specification was sent to the Asse 2 Accompanying Group (A2B) and the Comparison of Options Working Group (AGO) for discussion. Most of the amendments or supplements submitted by the A2B and the AGO were taken into account in the second version of the specification. This version was taken as a basis for the order.
The proposal to include the emplacement chamber containing the MAW waste on the 511-m level in the specification was not adopted because this requires a separate examination. Furthermore the DMT was not commissioned with achieving a planning depth on the level of a preliminary design planning, as had been demanded by the A2B and the AGO, because this was not possible due to lack of time.
Analysis of options provides planning basis
Irrespective of the completion of the specification, the DMT already started work at the end of April 2013 in order to speed up retrieval. The DMT presented first results in an interim report (in German only).
Based on the results of the analysis of options, the concept planning for retrieving the LAW packages can be commissioned. The analysis of options provides a vital planning condition and must therefore be completed beforehand.
Speeding-up through two-stage approach
Originally the BfS had not planned this two-stage approach. However, given that the tender of the entire concept planning would have required a long-lasting European-wide tender procedure, the BfS decided at the beginning of April to split up the work. Thus, the commissioning of the work package “concept planning” can be prepared in terms of the tender, parallel to the basic work carried out by the DMT.