Abstract: The invention relates to a glove box with a sealed containment delimited at least partially by a wall having a polycarbonate partition (6) and a biological protection partition (8) spaced from the polycarbonate partition and arranged externally with respect to same, the glove box also comprising lighting means of the containment, said lighting means comprising a light source (20). According to the invention, the light source (20) is housed between the polycarbonate partition (6) and the biological protection partition (8).

Abstract: Sealing means comprising a seal carrier and a seal connected thereto, wherein the seal carrier is removably fixable between two areas insulated from each other, and a transfer device between two chambers, which are separated by a wall, wherein said transfer device comprises a transfer mechanism and at least one sealing means according to the invention which is positioned between the wall and the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: According to the invention, a mandrel, provided with tabs for holding jars containing powders and for turning the jars upside down in order to empty them through the neck, is equipped with vibration generators for exciting the walls of the jar in order to shake off the powder masses adhering thereto. The method is much more efficient than even more energetic shock applications, and frequency scanning can further be advantageously applied. One application relates to an emptying step in methods for the production of nuclear fuel pellets by powder agglomeration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool used for pressure crimping and driving-out of a cleat, comprising: (a) a first receptacle opposite which is located a crimping head movably mounted on a body of the tool; (b) a second receptacle opposite which is located a drive-out head also movably mounted on the body; and (c) pressure means movably mounted on the body so as to be able to be displaced from a crimping position in which they are capable of exerting pressure on the crimping head, to a drive-out position in which they are capable of exerting pressure on the drive-out head, and conversely.

Abstract: A method for evaluating specific data in relation to the cleaning up/dismantling of a facility comprising at least one room. This method includes the following steps: an inventory of the facility is drawn up room by room, assimilating each room with a standard cell which brings into play at least one task to obtain first data, a set of tasks is associated with a standard scenario, each task is associated with at least one ratio in order to modify the first data so as to obtain second data, specific data is determined by evaluating this second data taking into consideration services provided in relation to manpower and general elements.

Abstract: One proceeds with indirect measurement of the temperature of a molten bath (1) of a viscous material such as glass by measuring a parameter such as the motor torque of a rotating mechanical stirrer (3) or the heating power extracted from its coolant water. One thereby dispenses with direct measurement of the temperature by a rod provided with a thermocouple and subject to difficult operating conditions.

Abstract: A cask for loading at least one nuclear fuel assembly in a transport container, including a body with a longitudinal axis (X) capable of sealably covering an upper end of a container, at least one aperture (10) for letting through a fuel assembly, at least one means for connecting to pneumatic confinement means and at least one means (56) capable of maintaining a means (58) for sealing a chamber of the container inside the cask and at a distance from an entrance of said chamber during loading, wherein the maintaining means (56) includes a first arm (60) rotationally mobile around a first axis and a second arm (62) attached to the first arm (60) and rotationally mobile relatively to the first arm, said cask also including external means for controlling the arms (68,86), and wherein the second arm (62) includes a housing (76) for receiving the sealing means.

Abstract: A process for reprocessing a spent nuclear fuel and for preparing a mixed uranium-plutonium oxide. The process: a) separates the uranium and plutonium from fission products, americium, and curium that are present in an aqueous nitric solution resulting from dissolution of the fuel in nitric acid, the separating including at least one operation of coextracting the uranium and plutonium from the solution by a solvent phase; b) partitions the coextracted uranium and plutonium to a first aqueous phase containing plutonium and uranium, and a second aqueous phase containing uranium but no plutonium; c) purifies the plutonium and uranium that are present in the first aqueous phase; and d) coconverts the plutonium and uranium to a mixed uranium/plutonium oxide.

Abstract: Device to load a sintering boat with nuclear fuel pellets, comprising a loading chute (2) delimiting a travel pathway (4) for the pellets, the loading chute comprising an upper end (8) intended to receive pellets and a lower end (12) intended to lie close to a sintering boat, said loading chute (2) comprising gates (18, 20, 22) forming an obstacle in the pathway of the pellets so as to fractionate said pathway, said gates (18, 20, 22) able to be actuated alternately, and the lower end (12) of the loading chute being movable so that it can be drawn close to and away from a bottom part of the sintering boat. A further subject-matter of the present invention is a method to load a sintering boat with nuclear fuel pellets, using a device according to the present invention.

Abstract: Method for producing fuel rods characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) placing a sleeve on an open end (30a) of a cladding (30), said sleeve comprising a passage provided with a shoulder designed to protect a surface of the open end (30a) of the cladding (30), b) inserting the end of the cladding (30a) provided with the sleeve into the cladding nose, c) isolating a space for receiving the pellets and an outer space, d) filling the cladding with pellets, e) interrupting said filling when the cladding contains a determined number of pellets, f) removing the end (30a) of the cladding from the cladding nose, g) ablating the sleeve. Device for carrying out the method according to the invention and a protective sleeve for nuclear fuel cladding.

Abstract: A spring mounting device in a cladding tube for nuclear fuel, comprising a spring distributor, a spring loader in the cladding tube, the distributor supplying the springs to the loader, said loader comprising a longitudinal slide to receive the spring, a pusher in order to set the spring into place in the cladding tube and is able to move in the slide, means of displacement of said pusher, said device comprising mechanical means in order to associate the actuation of the means of displacement with that of the spring distributor.

Abstract: A temperature measurement tube is composite and comprises a rigid shaft (1), which is cooled so as to shield it from corrosion and from the melt, and an end-fitting (15) housing a thermocouple (9) on the end of the tube and constructed from a noble metal, which is resistant to corrosion and to the high melting point. An alumina coating (13) is placed between the two metals in order to prevent any corrosion-inducing electrochemical exchange between them.

Abstract: A knife includes a sheath (1), a handle (2) at the rear, a sliding blade, an operating system that includes a trigger (11) below the handle and a transmission connecting rod, in addition to a gripping bar (9). The tool is grasped with both hands, providing sufficient dexterity even in difficult in conditions. Designed for working in a hostile environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuumable gel that can be used for decontaminating surfaces, and also to the use of this gel. The decontamination may be, for example, a radioactive decontamination. The gel of the present invention is composed of a colloidal solution. It comprises from 5 to 25 wt % of an inorganic viscosity modifier relative to the total weight of the gel; from 0.01 to 0.2 wt % of a surfactant relative to the total weight of the gel, and, particularly preferably, a surfactant in an amount strictly below 0.1 wt % relative to the total weight of the gel; from 0.5 to 7 mol, per litre of gel, of an inorganic acid or base; and optionally from 0.05 to 1 mol, per litre of gel, of an oxidizer having a standard redox potential E0 greater than 1.4 V in a strong acid medium or of the reduced form of this oxidizer; the remainder being water. It may be applied, by spraying, to a surface to be decontaminated, and removed in the form of dry residues by suction or brushing after drying.