Improvements in plastic enclosure system for glovebox decommissioning

Abstract

Gloveboxes used for plutonium fuel development and fabrication are eventually dismantled for replacement. Since equipment interior and the inner surface of gloveboxes are contaminated with radioactive materials, glovebox dismantling is performed by workers wearing an air fed suit with mechanical tools in a plastic enclosure system to control the spread of contamination. Various improvements of the enclosure system are implemented including the modification of the rooms to decontaminate and undress the air fed suit and the introduction of an inflammable filter and a safety film near the size reduction workspace against fire. We describe the countermeasures deployed in the enclosure system against potential hazards and how these devices work in the real dismantling activities. © 2012 Atomic Energy Society of Japan All Rights Reserved.