Abstract: A method for measuring dosage by means of a radiation detector, especially an X-radiation or gamma-radiation detector, used in the spectroscopic mode, and a dosage measurement system using said method. A range of energies and a dose type H is chosen, a radiation detector of a given type is used, spectra measured by the detector are established for various radiations of the given type, the energies of which are within the chosen range and the respective doses of which are known, and from the spectra, a weighting function is established, that is a correspondence between a mean dose increment and a mean energy, deposited into the detector. This enables a person provided with a dosimeter identical to the detector to know at any time the mean absorbed dose rate, expressed in the amount H.

Abstract: A method for controlling the gain and zero of a multiple pixel photon counter device, and light-measuring system implementing said method. Signals provided by the device are acquired for predefined periods, until a predefined total measurement time is reached, an amplitude histogram is formed from the acquired signals, the positions of two consecutive peaks, measurable on the histogram, are determined, an error signal is produced, which is equal to the deviation between both peaks and, by means of the same, the voltage supplying the device is regulated, so as to keep the deviation equal to a predefined set point.

Abstract: A method for sorting, in a continuous flow, contaminated materials, which includes: conveying materials from a point (A) to a point (B) by means of a conveyor; measuring the radioactive activity by means of a first sensor between the points (A) and (B) on the top surface (FSUP) of the first conveyor; and sorting the materials by means of a sorting device. The method may include measuring the radioactive activity of the contaminated material by means of a second sensor, either on the top surface (FSUP) of the conveyor and upstream from the point (A), or below the bottom surface (FINF) of said conveyor; calculating a differential measurement between a measurement from the second sensor and from the first sensor; and restricting the sorting to the comparison between a threshold value and the measurement from the first sensor or the differential measurement.

Abstract: Guide and retaining assembly for a press compensator comprising: a guide bushing (32) for the compensator (20) in its bore, said guide bushing being designed to be fitted around the compensator, a retaining nut (38) that that is configured to be screwed into the bore, the guide bushing (32) being located between a shoulder on the compensator and the retaining nut (38), and means (44) axially fixing the guide bushing (32) and the retaining nut (38) while maintaining an axial and transverse clearance between the guide bushing (32) and the retaining nut (38), said means (44) being such that the guide bushing (32) is free to rotate relative to the retaining nut (38).

Abstract: A device for identifying a metal substrate present in a strongly metallic environment that may also be dusty. The device includes a passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) label, a label carrier suitable for being attached to the metal substrate and to position the label at a distance therefrom, and a RFID reader having an antenna that includes, as an induction loop, two sections of a coaxial cable having a substantially identical length and each including a metal core and a metal pleat surrounding the core, the two sections being linked together, on the one hand, at one end thereof by connecting the core of one to the pleat of the other and conversely and, on the other hand, at the other end thereof by connecting only the pleats together, the cores thereof being separated at said other end.

Abstract: A process which allows separation of americium present in an acid aqueous phase or in an organic phase from the other metal elements also found in this phase, by complexation of the americium with a water-soluble ethylenediamine derivative; and a process for selective recovery of americium from an acid aqueous phase containing, in addition to americium, other metal elements, which comprises the application of this separation process.

Abstract: Position-indexed storage device comprising a support and a basket installed on the support, the basket comprising a plurality of compartments distributed around a longitudinal axis, the basket comprising a central passage with a longitudinal axis, the support comprising a shaft with a longitudinal axis, the shaft being housed in the passage such that relative displacement is possible between the basket and the support along the longitudinal axis, and mechanical means for displacement of the basket relative to the support by a given angle about the longitudinal axis are supported by the internal surface of the passage and the external surface of the shaft, said mechanical displacement means being actuated in each cycle, each cycle comprising a relative separation or approach displacement along the longitudinal axis of the basket and the support.

Abstract: An alumino-borosilicate glass for the confinement, isolation of a radioactive liquid effluent of medium activity, and a method for treating a radioactive liquid effluent of medium activity, wherein calcination of said effluent is carried out in order to obtain a calcinate, and a vitrification adjuvant is added to said calcinate.

Abstract: A radiation attenuation elastomeric material which includes an elastomer in which a powder of metal oxides is dispersed, wherein the powder of metal oxides includes from 70 to 90% by mass of bismuth trioxide, from 5 to 15% by mass of tungsten trioxide, and from 5 to 15% of lanthanum trioxide. Multilayer protective gloves incorporating this material are suitable for use in protecting a wearer from ionizing radiation when handling radioactive materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dressing a grinding wheel, comprising a sleeve to hold a corundum rod laterally and to guide it along its longitudinal axis, a ram to apply constant thrust force onto the corundum rod held in place and guided in the sleeve, to bring it into contact with the grinding wheel, means of rigidly connecting the ram shaft to the end of the corundum rod, and linear guide means for the sleeve for translating the corundum rod parallel to the axis of the grinding wheel while keeping the rod pressed against the grinding wheel with a constant force. Application to a centerless grinder in which the grinding wheel is used to grind nuclear fuel pellets.

Abstract: A system for filling a jar with powdery material, for example for the manufacture of nuclear fuel, including a device for connection between the jar and a material feed system, where the device includes: a stationary connection portion connected to the feed system, a connection portion which moves relative to the stationary connection portion intended to be connected to the container's filling orifice, where the moving connection portion includes in the area of a downstream end a lip seal to achieve a tight connection by contact with the contours of the jar's filling orifice and where the said downstream end is connected to the stationary connection portion by a bellows so as to provide mechanical disengagement between the downstream end of the moving connection portion and the stationary connection portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a mixture comprising erbium and praseodymium as a radiation attenuating composition, i.e. as a composition that can attenuate ionizing radiation, in particular X- and gamma-type electromagnetic radiation. The invention also relates to a radiation attenuating material comprising an erbium- and praseodymium-based composition, as well as a protective article which provides group or individual protection against ionizing radiation and comprises said material. The invention is suitable for use in nuclear medicine (scintigraphy, radiotherapy, etc.), radiology, medical imaging, the nuclear industry, etc.

Abstract: A device for changing the electrode of an electrode-holder tool of a welding device, with a first part configured to house an electrode-holder tool and including means to prevent the electrode-holder tool from moving, and a second part installed around the first part and covering the part of the electrode protruding outside the first part, where the second part can be separated from the first part by sliding along the electrode, and is able to rotate relative to the fixed part when it surrounds it, and where the second part is configured to tighten or untighten the mandrel and to attach the electrode and the second part, enabling it to be removed from the mandrel when the first part and the second part are separated.

Abstract: Using crystalline silica, mixed with cement powder, to reduce the heating of the cement paste caused by the hydration of said powder, during a process of packaging of radioactive waste, a formulation for the packaging of radioactive waste by cementing, which comprises such silica, a method for packaging radioactive waste implementing this formulation, and a package for packaging of radioactive waste which is obtained by this method.

Abstract: A fuel element handling system having a gripping device, the structure of which can be pushed in the horizontal position and uncoupled from the handling system if a failure occurs, uncoupling releasing the load formed by the fuel elements and their gripped support and putting them in a safe situation.

Abstract: Pellet fabrication device comprising a powder distributor and a table provided with cavities to be filled with powder, on which the distributor moves. The distributor comprises two assemblies of rollers cooperating with rails fixed on the table on each side of the distributor displacement zone, a set of rollers being used to guide displacement of the distributor and a set of rollers being used to press the distributor in contact with the table.

Abstract: A method for preparing an oxalate of one or more actinides for processing and recycling nuclear fuel, comprising: the precipitation of said actinide or the coprecipitation of said actinides in the form of oxalate particles by bringing into contact an aqueous solution containing the actinide(s) with an aqueous solution of oxalic acid or of an oxalic acid salt; and the collection of the resulting oxalate particles; characterized in that the precipitation or coprecipitation is carried out in fluidized bed.

Abstract: The container is comprised of a side wall of which the end edges are each provided with a blocking member, of which at least one is inserted in order to close an opening. The peripheral outline of the inserted blocking member and the interior outline of the associated end edge of the side wall have generally complementary shapes on at least one portion of their respective heights, in such a way that said inserted blocking member comes to be housed on at least one portion of its height in the space defined by said end edge of the side wall and comes to bear against said end edge by adjusting lugs in recesses of complementary shape. The inclined joining surfaces form an angle from 20° to 40° with the axis of the container.

Abstract: A device for measuring and correcting a parallelism error of an upper plug end of a nuclear fuel rod comprising mechanisms for measuring a parallelism error and for correcting said error, and a mechanism for positioning said device on the fuel rod and cooperating with a rack on which the fuel rod is stored, said correction means being arranged opposite the measuring mechanism relative to the location of the fuel rod, in order to allow a measurement of the parallelism error during correction of said error.

Abstract: A method for treating a nitric aqueous liquid effluent containing nitrates of metals or metalloids, comprising a step for calcination of the effluent in order to convert the nitrates of metals or metalloids into oxides of said metals or metalloids, at least one compound selected from the nitrates of metals or metalloids and the other compounds of the effluent leading upon calcination to a tacky oxide, and a dilution adjuvant comprising at least one nitrate of metal or metalloid leading upon calcination to a non-tacky oxide being added to the effluent prior to the calcination step in order to give a mixture of effluent and of dilution adjuvant.