Underground Backfill Transport Vehicle VTF
for BGE
The HUBTEX Underground Backfill Transport Vehicle VTF is a custom-engineered special-purpose vehicle developed by HUBTEX for the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE). It is designed for future underground operation in the Schacht Konrad repository project.
Schacht Konrad is a former mine currently being converted into a repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. Once the waste has been emplaced in the emplacement chambers, these chambers must be backfilled underground. For this process, backfill materials such as backfill compound and paste fill are used.
The HUBTEX Underground Backfill Transport Vehicle VTF transports these materials from the underground processing area to the required locations and transfers them in a controlled manner to the downstream process steps.
Use at BGE
Schacht Konrad is being converted by BGE into a repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. After the radioactive containers have been emplaced, the underground areas are backfilled with backfill material. This permanently encapsulates the emplaced waste and protects it against release.
This work requires vehicles that are precisely adapted to the underground tunnel system and the requirements of the controlled area.
The HUBTEX Underground Backfill Transport Vehicle operates between the underground backfill processing plant and the respective target location. There, the material is loaded into the mixing drum and transported to the application site. Discharge takes place via the discharge chute into the feed hopper of the spray manipulator vehicle. Depending on the process step, the paste fill can also be introduced through ventilation boreholes for backfilling.
Support for security-related procedures in the security checkpoint area
For underground operations, clear requirements and clearly defined processes apply. The VTF is designed to support these framework conditions within the controlled area and provide the required materials as part of the specified process.
Controlled material discharge as a clearly defined interface
Material discharge at the application site is designed as a clearly defined transfer step. The material is transferred to the spray manipulator vehicle via the discharge chute and feed hopper. This ensures that the backfill material is transferred at a defined interface, allowing the next process step to follow directly.
Safety and fire protection for Underground Operations
For underground operation, the HUBTEX Underground Backfill Transport Vehicle VTF is equipped with two shielded, climate-controlled operator cabs from which switching operations can be performed. A fire suppression system is also included. These features are designed to meet the requirements of operation within the controlled area.
Features
The HUBTEX Underground Backfill Transport Vehicle VTF is designed as a trackless mining vehicle with an articulated oscillating joint for operation in underground roadways. The vehicle structure consists of a power frame and a load frame, which are connected by the articulated oscillating joint. This design allows the vehicle to perform the required driving maneuvers within the underground tunnel system. Steering is controlled by changing the articulation angle, making it fully aligned with the vehicle’s operating concept.
The materials are loaded into a mixing drum and kept in motion during transport. Material intake takes place at the loading point, where the backfill compound is transferred into the drum. At the application site, the mixture is discharged via a discharge chute. This makes material transfer a defined process step within the overall workflow.
The vehicle is equipped with a shielded upper-level cab and a shielded lower-level cab. Both cabs are climate-controlled and designed for underground operation. Switching operations can be performed from either cabin, enabling control functions from both positions. The shielded cabin design supports the requirements for operation within the controlled area.
For underground operation, the vehicle is equipped with an HDR fire suppression system. It is designed to suppress any incipient fires directly at their source. This addresses a key safety requirement for underground vehicle operation. Fire protection is also integrated into the vehicle’s overall design concept.
Technical Specifications
Weight: approx. 69,450 lb
Payload capacity: 44,100 lb
Length: 34.4 ft
Width: 7.9 ft
Height: 11.5 ft
Drive: diesel
Travel speed: 7.8 mph