Device for volume delimitation during work with contaminated parts

• US 5,483,562 A
• Filed: 03/28/1994
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse ATOM AB (Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Kornfeldt, Anna, Tornblom, Lars, Kornvik, Lars-Ake
• Primary Examiner(s): Wasil, Daniel D.
• Application Number:
  US08/218,648
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 376/272, 376/260, 376/287, 376/313, 250/506.1, 250/507.1, 250/519.1, 588/16, 588/20, 220/6, 220/9.1, 220/4.16, 220/666, 383/2, 383/120
• US Class Current: 376/287
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 31/006 Drip trays
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 19/02 Details of handling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 9/28 Treating solids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

The invention relates to a volume delimitation tank (1) for preventing or limiting contamination of the surrounding liquid medium when working with contaminated parts. The volume delimitation tank (1) comprises a sack or channel which constitutes at least the substantially vertical walls (1a-d) of the tank and is made of a material which is capable of being folded, which is radiation-resistant, and resistant to puncture. The walls (1a-d) can be provided with fold notches (27) to obtain a well-defined folding when, for example, lowering at least one wall portion (1a-d) for passing objects out of the tank (1). The walls (1a-d) of the tank (1) are arranged at a bottom part (9). Cleaning equipment (16) is arranged inside the tank (1) for continuous cleaning of the contained volume.

Claims

1. A device for volume delimitation when working with radioactively contaminated parts within the device, such as a control rod for a nuclear power plant for preventing contamination of a total volume of liquid medium surrounding the device and forming a pool, such as a nuclear reactor pool, said device comprising a transportable tank with a substantially horizontal bottom part and with substantial vertical side walls and an open top, means within the tank connectable with cleaning equipment for the cleaning of liquid medium delimited within the tank, wherein at least the side walls are foldable and are comprised of a material of synthetic fibers of a strength resistant to puncture, the material comprising polyethylene.

6. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the side walls of the tank have fold notches.

7. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the side walls of the tank comprise channels detachably mounted to the bottom part.

8. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the side walls of the tank are formed of a sack which is detachably mounted to the bottom part.

9. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the bottom part is made as a part integral with the side walls.

10. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein a gas hood is arranged in the tank for exhaustion of gas evolved during the work.

11. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the bottom part is of stainless steel.

12. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, where in the bottom part is made of aluminum.

13. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein support rods capable of being dismantled are arranged to support the side walls in at least the vertical direction, said support walls being of the same material as the side walls.

14. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein support rods capable of being dismantled are arranged to support the side walls in at least the vertical direction, said support rods being of aluminum.

15. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the tank is provided with a sluice for passing objects in and out, whereby only a small liquid volume need be cleaned between each transport.

16. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein at least one section of the side walls is separately raisable and lowerable for passing objects in and out.

17. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein at least two wall sections, one inner and one outer, are arranged to overlap each other, forming a flow passage between the reactor pool and the interior of the tank.

19. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein at least said side walls are combustible.

2. A device for volume delimitation when working with radioactively contaminated parts within the device, such as a control rod for a nuclear power plant, for preventing contamination of a total volume of liquid medium surrounding the device and forming a pool, such as a nuclear reactor pool, said device comprising a transportable tank with a substantially horizontal bottom part and with substantially vertical side walls and an open top, means within the tank connectable with cleaning equipment for the cleaning of liquid medium delimited within the tank, wherein at least the side walls are foldable and are comprised of a material of organic or synthetic fibers of a strength resistant to puncture, the material comprising at least one layer of fabric.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the material comprises a plurality of laminated fabric layers forming a stiff plate.

4. A device for volume delimitation when working with radioactively contaminated parts within the device, such as a control rod for a nuclear power plant, for preventing contamination of a total volume of liquid medium surrounding the device and forming a pool, such as a nuclear reactor pool, said device comprising a transportable tank with a substantially horizontal bottom part and with substantially vertical side walls and an open top, means within the tank connectable with cleaning equipment for the cleaning of liquid medium delimited within the tank, wherein at least the side walls are foldable and are comprised of a material of organic or synthetic fibers of a strength resistant to puncture, the material comprising at least one layer of cloth.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the material comprises a plurality of laminated cloth layers forming a stiff plate.

20. A device for volume delimitation when working with radioactively contaminated parts within the device, such as a control rod for a nuclear power plant, for preventing contamination of a total volume of liquid medium surrounding the device and forming a pool, such as a nuclear reactor pool, said device comprising a transportable tank with a substantially horizontal bottom part and with substantially vertical side walls and an open top, means within the tank connectable with cleaning equipment for the cleaning of liquid medium delimited within the tank, wherein at least the side walls are foldable and are comprised of a material of organic or synthetic fibers of a strength resistant to puncture, and a stand for separated scrap being arranged in the tank.

21. A device for volume delimitation when working with radioactively contaminated parts within the device, such as a control rod for a nuclear power plant, for preventing contamination of a total volume of liquid medium surrounding the device and forming a pool, such as a nuclear reactor pool, said device comprising a transportable tank with a substantially horizontal bottom part and with substantially vertical side walls and an open top, means within the tank for cleaning liquid medium delimited within the tank, wherein at least the side walls are foldable and are comprised of a material of organic or synthetic fibers of a strength resistant to puncture, and the tank having a water transmitting inner sack.

18. A device according to claim 21, wherein the inner wall section can be pushed against the outer wall section for sealing the flow passage.