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U.S. Department of Energy
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A remotely operated melting plant for recycling of low-level radioactive materials

Conference ·
OSTI ID:113146
 [1];  [2]
  1. ANSALDO, S.p.A., Genova (Italy). Nuclear Div.
  2. Siempelkamp Giesserei GmbH, Krefeld (Germany). Technical Div.
Melting of low-level (< 74Bq/g) radioactive steel from refurbishing/decommissioning of nuclear installation has been shown as an attractive mode of treatment of nuclear waste. In the coming years, melting will be used to treat large quantities of nuclear steel in several EC countries. The procedure has thus to be improved as much as possible in order to minimize the risk of hazardous contamination and radiation exposure of the work force. Siempelkamp CARLA plant, located at Krefeld--FRG, is a specially design melting facility for treatment of radioactive contaminated and/or activated steel and non-ferrous metals such as zinc-plated materials, copper, aluminum and brass. In the framework of the 1984--88 decommissioning program, over 2,000 tons of steel were treated by melting at Siempelkamp plant. The paper describes the work carried out in the framework of the European Communities` R and D Program in the field of Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and related to the Design, Construction and Testing of a Remotely Operated Manipulator for Operation in a Low-Level Radioactive Material Melting Plant. The work focuses on the improvement of the existing melting facility by adding a simple well adapted manipulator system to allow the complete campaign, from material charging to casting, to be remotely controlled; thus, this minimizes direct contact of the workers with radioactive materials.
OSTI ID:
113146
Report Number(s):
CONF-930906--; ISBN 0-7918-0691-X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English