Future research and safety of disposal of nuclear waste in clay ensured

EURIDICE stands for “European Underground Research Infrastructure for Disposal of nuclear waste in Clay Environment”. This group coordinates a research and development program on radioactive waste disposal and the geological disposal. And in this context, the purpose of the research facility HADES, originally built in 1980, is to develop and test industrial technologies for building, operating and sealing a waste repository in deep clay. It is the place where researchers conduct large-scale experiments under realistic conditions in order to assess the safety and feasibility of geological disposal in hardened clay.

Shaft 1 of the facility was the oldest concrete access shaft (out of two shafts) to the 225 meters deep underground laboratory, which meant that it needed to be renovated to remain operational.

First up was the study of the project, which was done by a team of Tractebel experts together with BGE-Technology. Later on, for the execution, our Buildings team was responsible for the project management, the renovation program of the shaft, the design and detailing of the architectural, civil and electrical engineering part, the application for an environmental permit, the organization of the public tender procedures and site monitoring. Partner BGE-Technology was responsible for the design and detailing of the actual hoisting installation.

Since the 3^rd of December 2021, the renovated shaft is fully functioning and is now equipped with a completely new hoisting installation with a main cage and an emergency cage. The entire above-ground infrastructure is also renewed with a new headframe and a new hoisting building.

“This is a unique project with unique disciplines (construction, electrical engineering, mining, mine elevator engineering) in the public sector. The role of Tractebel was not only one of designer and project manager but also and especially the technical integrator of all these disciplines.” Jeroen Gellynck, Manager Buildings Team Hasselt.

Curious to see what it really looks like? Watch this video including explanations from Peter De Preter, director of EIG EURIDICE, Marc Demarche, Director General of ONDRAF/NIRAS and Eric van Walle, Director General of SCK CEN, the Belgian Nuclear Research Center.