The CAMISole project (Inorganic Matrix Composite for Storage in Geological Environments) marks a breakthrough in the design of storage structures for radioactive waste. In close collaboration with Andra and the LCTS, the IRT Saint Exupéry is tackling a colossal technological and environmental challenge: designing a storage tunnel liner capable of lasting over a century at a depth of 500 meters, without using any metallic or plastic components.
From Fragility to Agility
The core of the innovation lies in the use of ceramics. While this material is known for its brittleness under impact, the CAMISole project overcomes this characteristic through ancestral architectural expertise. By exploiting the keystone effect a millennial principle used in Romanesque churches combined with Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) technology, researchers have developed a structure capable of withstanding mechanical stress while remaining “agile.”
A Unique Manufacturing and Modeling Strategy
The project relies on advanced technological levers to guarantee the reliability of the concept:
- Patented Design: An innovative sandwich structure combining a monolithic ceramic core material with composite skins to meet the constraints of the geological environment.
- Assembly Process: The use of filament winding reinforced with ceramic elements to create a “composite of composites” sandwich a unique method ensuring overall structural integrity.
- Predictive Modeling: Applying simulations conducted by our partners regarding loading evolution to our design, ensuring the liner’s mechanical stability for 100 years.
One of the project’s major hurdles lies in the study of aging. A thesis was defended by Guillaume German on the development of an accelerated aging method and methodology representative of the strong chemical interactions between the materials and the geological environment. This methodology, combined with mechanical sizing (using aged materials), will validate the durability of the tunnels and accurately calculate the necessary safety margins.
Beyond waste management, the advances made by CAMISole open major perspectives for other sectors requiring high-performance inorganic materials in harsh environments.
Key Project Figures:
- Total Budget: €1.86M
- Duration: 54 months
- Key Partners: Andra, LCTS