A sealed flexible enclosure for working with toxic or radioactive materials - e.g. irradiated ceramic nuclear fuel and used e.g. dismantling an irradiated ceramic fuel assembly

摘要

A sealed flexible enclosure defining a volume within which one may carry out operations under either atmospheric conditions or in a special environment. The enclosure includes at least one opening (11) with an air-lock (7), a port (12) through which a manipulator arm can be operated, an inlet (13) and an exit 8) for ventilating gas and a viewing window (15). The flexible enclosure can be expanded by use of the inlet (13) and may also be deflated, with or without the apparatus which it contains during the manipulative work, whilst remaining within a restricted volume. USE/ADVANTAGE - For handling toxic or radioactive substances under pressurised conditions and in particular for dismantling an irradiate ceramic fuel assembly in order to examine the surfaces of the fuel blocks. Contamination of the interior of the shielded enclosure is avoided when handling toxic or radioactive materials. One may work in special or neutral atmospheres without hydrogen; something not easy to achieve in a heavily shielded enclosure. The shape of the enclosure adapts to any shape of shielding enclosure. It is possible to dismantle and confine material within a relatively small volume without applying excess pressure. In addition the enclosure may be evacuated in order to confine and seal up all the contaminated objects or dust that it might contain in a very small volume.