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The extension works of the Underground Research Facility (URF) HADES are
under way. The construction of the second access shaft (1) was finished
in 1999. The excavation of the connecting gallery (2), with a total length
of about 80 metres and a depth of 225 metres, which links this second
shaft with the existing underground laboratory, was completed on 7 March
2002. It is the first time that such an operation has been carried out
in clay at a depth of 225 metres using an industrial technique. The success
of the excavation clearly demonstrates that the achievement,
on industrial scale, of underground
infrastructure works at high depth in the Boom clay is perfectly possible.
In
2003, the connecting
gallery
was fitted out. Now that the HADES laboratory is completely available,
the intention is to proceed with national and international research projects
in the new part of the laboratory. Discussions are under way with the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to formally recognize
EIG EURIDICE as an international "Center of Excellence".
One
of the most important experiments that will be carried out in the new
part of the laboratory is the PRACLAY experiment (PRACLAY stands for "Preliminary
demonstration test for CLAY disposal of highly radioactive waste").
According to the latest estimates, this experiment should begin in 2007,
when the PRACLAY gallery (3) will be excavated from the connecting gallery.
The future excavation of the PRACLAY gallery, and the PRACLAY experiment,
will be determining to demonstrate the possibility of a sure disposal,
in the Boom clay, of high radioactive heat emitting waste.
Present
experiments
EIG EURIDICE is presently
conducting the following experiments:
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OPHELIE
mock-up ("On
surface Preliminary Heating simulation Experimenting Later Instruments
and Equipment"): a real-scale mock-up with a length of
a 5 metres and a diameter of more than 2 metres. The main objective
of the mock-up is to test the
measuring equipment and the filling material that could
be used for deep disposal. The following operations were carried out:
- filling of the mock-up;
- hydration;
- heating (more than 100°C);
- cooling;
- decommissioning.
The mock-up was decommissioned in October 2002. Differents studies
are in progress to assess the performance of the filling material
and of other components.
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CLIPEX:
geomechanical measurements to study the effect of excavating in the
deep clay layer. |
EIG EURIDICE publications
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EURIDICE
News 2 - September 2003 (PDF - 4,4M) |
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EURIDICE
Flash 3 - April 2003 (PDF - 400K) |
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EURIDICE
Flash 2 - March 2002 (PDF - 44K) |
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EURIDICE
News 1 - February 2002 (PDF - 441K) |
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EURIDICE
Flash 1 - January 2002 (PDF - 41K) |
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EIG EURIDICE exhibition
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EIG
EURIDICE has set up an exhibition in the large hall next to the second
access shaft. The exhibition focuses on research and development into
the technical feasibility of disposing of highly radioactive waste
in clay layers. |
Contact details
EIG EURIDICE
Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
Tel.: +32 (0)14 33 27 84
Fax: +32 (0)14 32 37 09
E-mail:
bpitz@sckcen.be
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