Direct ultimate disposal of spent fuel. Simulation of shaft transport. Investigation of the loads affecting the ropes when the payload of 85 t is applied (TA 9)

The shaft hoisting equipment designed for the simulation runs is an 8-rope Koepe hoisting system with one winding compartment and a counterweight. The hoisting rope is a three-layered, flattened strand rope, which has been confirmed by an expert opinion to be suitable for the envisaged operation. Due to the operating mode of the designed simulation system, the stress increases per time unit created in the ropes upon application of the payload are higher by a factor of four than in other shaft hoisting equipment. Therefore it was assumed that the ropes will more than usual be affected by wear and will have to be replaced at intervals shorter than usual. The tests performed with the ropes measuring 50 mm across have shown, however, that the postulated wear effects do not materialize. The rope used for the simulation runs under realistic load conditions did not show any external or internal damage. The load cycles applied correspond to a service period of approx. 6 years. The conclusion drawn is that the selected rope type is able to cope with the designed loads and stresses of the shaft transport, and will rather have to be replaced for other causes of damage such as corrosion than for reasons of wear. The test results give proof of a safe and reliable servie life of the ropes of about 6 years. (orig./HP)