Implementation of Posiva’s final disposal solution moves forward
The implementation of Posiva’s solution for final disposal of spent nuclear fuel moves forward. Posiva has completed the Trial Run of Final Disposal (TRFD) at the encapsulation plant. The fifth canister, which was the last of the TRFD canisters, has been encapsulated, subjected to a construction inspection, and transferred successfully to the underground storage at a depth of 430 metres.
According to Posiva Production Director Karri Osara, the operational part of the Trial Run has ended at the encapsulation plant.
- This was a significant milestone of the test production stage. We are now in a good position and feeling positive to move forward and go underground to continue the Trial Run at the final disposal repository. We have an extremely high mindset to execute TRFD to a high-standard and safely, Osara says.
The spent nuclear fuel is encapsulated at the above-ground encapsulation plant in canisters made of copper and cast iron before the actual final disposal takes place deep in the Olkiluoto bedrock. The part of TRFD carried out at the encapsulation plant comprised the encapsulation of a total of five test canisters and their transfer to the underground repository facility. In the so-called retrieval test, one canister was retrieved back to the encapsulation plant according to plans. The Trial Run of Final Disposal started in August 2024.
During the Trial Run, the operation of the complete final disposal facility is tested. Instead of actual spent nuclear fuel, the Trial Run is conducted using non-radioactive test elements. Areas identified during the TRFD at the encapsulation plant as needing improvement included adjustments of some equipment.
According to Osara, all the time needed was taken during the Trial Run of the encapsulation plant to make improvements in systems and also procedures, for example. At the same time, the focus was on strengthening competences and ensuring the continuous development of the personnel across the board.
The Trial Run of Final Disposal is a final demonstration of the functionality of the final disposal process as a whole and of the readiness of the personnel for industrial final disposal operation. Posiva’s President and CEO Ilkka Poikolainen says that TRFD in its entirety is an important stage in verifying Posiva’s readiness for the production stage in both organisational and technical terms.
- By following during the TRFD the safety procedures laid down for the production stage, this stage also gives us an opportunity to strengthen safety culture in our organisation. After the success experienced at the encapsulation plant, we can move forward to executing TRFD on the underground production equipment and further toward the production stage, Poikolainen says.
Encapsulation, which takes place in the fuel handling cell, refers to the packing of the spent nuclear fuel in final disposal canisters manufactured of copper and spheroidal graphite cast iron. The whole encapsulation process is carried out under remote control in facilities with high-standard radiation shielding.
The Trial Run of Final Disposal next continues underground once individual tests have been acceptably completed on all the underground production equipment.
For more information, please contact:
Ilkka Poikolainen, President and CEO
Karri Osara, Production Director
Interview requests: Pasi Tuohimaa, Communications Manager, tel. +358 40 544 5001