Commissioned by Niras, preparations are underway in Dessel for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level short-lived waste. It is processed and conditioned radioactive waste that contains a small amount of radioactive substances, including only a very limited amount of long-lived substances. Due to these properties, category A waste is suitable for surface disposal in above-ground bunkers. Prior to this, the waste is encapsulated in concrete boxes called caissons. For the production of these caissons, NIRAS is having a dedicated plant built on-site.
The construction of the caisson factory was entrusted to the Vanhout-Stadsbader joint venture. In turn, the Vanhout-Stadsbader joint venture called upon Deschacht to provide a sustainable solution for the collection and recovery of rainwater.
Tubao HDPE tanks upon the advice of Deschacht
Surface disposal is a long-term solution that passively encapsulates waste and isolates it from humans and the environment. Naturally, during the construction of the caisson factory, even more attention than elsewhere is given to the quality of the final product – i.e. the caissons – and thus also to the facility in which they will be manufactured. For rainwater recovery, TM Vanhout-Stadsbader turned to Deschacht. “It goes without saying that this is an exceptional assignment,” says project manager Dennis van Put. “We have been working with Deschacht for earthworks and sewerage works for quite some time. They draw up the plans, think along with us, and the contact is pleasant and familiar.” For the rainwater recovery of this unusual site, Deschacht proposed Tubao tanks made of HDPE. “Initially, concrete tanks were planned, but given the unpredictability of the timing of installation, it had to be a prefabricated solution,” Dennis van Put continues. “The work can now be done quickly and efficiently, and above all, the site does not have to remain “open” for long to install the tanks. One might almost think it is a simple assignment, but nothing could be further from the truth.”
A sustainable product and solution
The material from which the TUBAO tanks are manufactured, HDPE, was chosen in part for its durability. The tanks are custom-made, making them a plug-and-play solution once on-site. Due to their lightweight nature, installation time is significantly reduced, and fewer transports and site machinery are required. Moreover—and not unimportantly for this application—these pipes are double-walled, which makes their resistance to external influences considerably higher than that of metal or concrete tanks. It also offers the ideal solution here for the recovery of rainwater for the future concrete plant, specifically for a volume of twice 35 m3.
