Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing respirable air comprising the following stages: treatment of compressed air comprising an air-drying operation; and rehumidification of the treated dry air. According to the invention, the rehumidification stage of the treated dry air comprises an operation of controlled distribution of the treated dry air on the one hand in a rehumidification line (24), and on the other hand in a dry line (22). The invention also relates to an installation (1) for utilising such a process. Application to the area of nuclear installation dismantling.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods (2) for nuclear reactors, said device comprising optical means (40) having at least one camera (42, 42?) and linked to an image acquisition and processing system (48) capable of detecting geometric defects present on each rod (2) to be controlled, and further comprising a roughness tester (50) controlled in such a way as to measure the depth of each geometric defect detected by the image acquisition and processing system (48). Moreover, the invention further concerns a method capable of being implemented with the aid of said device (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods (2) for nuclear reactors, said device comprising optical means (40) having at least one camera (42, 42?) and linked to an image acquisition and processing system (48) capable of detecting geometric defects present on each rod (2) to be controlled, and further comprising a roughness tester (50) controlled in such a way as to measure the depth of each geometric defect detected by the image acquisition and processing system (48). Moreover, the invention further concerns a method capable of being implemented with the aid of said device (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for trapping ruthenium present in a gaseous effluent. The trapping method of the present invention comprises the use of an aqueous solution or slurry of an alkylene glycol polymer or an alkylene glycol copolymer, in which the alkylene(s) has (have) from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, in order to trap ruthenium present in a gaseous effluent. The ruthenium-trapping cartridge of the present invention has a surface (S) on which an alkylene glycol polymer or an alkylene glycol copolymer is placed, in which the alkylene(s) has (have) from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. The present invention makes it possible in particular both to favour the trapping and the chemical operation of reducing ruthenium oxide RuO4.

Abstract: A process for measuring the moisture content in a quantity of PuO2 powder. The process detects the content of thermal neutrons emitted by the quantity of PuO2 powder and then deduces its moisture content from a value of the detected content assuming a relation determined between the proportion of thermal neutrons emitted by a quantity of PuO2 powder and the known moisture content in this quantity of PuO2 powder.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods (2) for nuclear reactors, said device comprising optical means (40) having at least one camera (42, 42?) and linked to an image acquisition and processing system (48) capable of detecting geometric defects present on each rod (2) to be controlled, and further comprising a roughness tester (50) controlled in such a way as to measure the depth of each geometric defect detected by the image acquisition and processing system (48). Moreover, the invention further concerns a method capable of being implemented with the aid of said device (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a support (1) for rolling cylindrical elements, this support comprising first guide means (2) capable of guiding the cylindrical elements at a height z1. Downstream, in a direction in which the cylindrical elements roll, the said support (1) comprises second guide means capable of guiding the cylindrical elements at a height z2 higher than z1, the friction between the second guide means and the cylindrical elements being lower than the friction between the first guide means (2) and the cylindrical elements.

Abstract: A compacting press having a support section, a compacting section which undergoes translational movement along a vertical axis (Z, Z?) which is fitted with a thrust-plate and which forms a ram designed to compress cases by the application of pressure, and a guide assembly made up of a skirt, with a liner, a hoop and a cradle. The cradle is fitted to a skirt holding section by a removable connection made up of a reversible assembly system involving the fitting into place and horizontal movement of at least one key-hole shaped opening which passes vertically through the cradle and at least one vertically orientated mushroom-shaped lug. This press is preferably used for compacting a case containing hazardous materials, in particular radioactive waste.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the preparation of mixed actinide oxides, such as mixed oxides of uranium and plutonium (U, Pu) O2, by simultaneously coprecipitation and then calcinations.

Abstract: The powder sampling device comprises, next to a vertical channel (1) a drawer that is also vertical which may be lowered so that a groove (5) passes into a sampling mouth (12). A flap (15) may be extended to direct the powder towards the groove (5) temporarily and fill it, without the drawer (4) or the flap (15) disrupting the flow in normal circumstances nor causing any residue of powder likely to alter the measurements. In particular, the flap (15), the groove (5) and the corbelled section (2) have faces (6, 8) that are heavily angled on which the powder can only slide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for decontaminating solid iodine filters containing silver iodide, silver iodate and/or physisorbed molecular iodine. This process consists in placing the filter in contact with an aqueous solution of a reducing agent chosen from hydroxylamine, hydroxylamine salts, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid salts, ascorbyl esters, sodium borohydride, sodium hypophosphite, formaldehyde, urea, formic acid and mixtures thereof, to extract the iodine from the filter and dissolve it in the aqueous solution. The dissolution of the silver, in the solution of reducing agent or in another suitable aqueous solution, may also be ensured, simultaneously or successively.

Abstract: In this system, three-dimensional objects (1, 5, 6) in an environment that may be very complex are discerned by identifying their simple contour shapes on images, and the geometric characteristics of these objects and their positions and orientations are then measured. Contours are defined by simple length, inclination, position parameters, etc. The acquired knowledge of the environment is used in each new image to refine the estimates, while introducing new object contours that have appeared, into the model.

Abstract: Device for detecting electro-magnetically the level of a material which is conductive, or made conductive, particularly molten glass. The device comprises an inductor (32) creating an alternating current in the material and surrounding the container (24) of the material, at least one magnetic field sensor (52, 54) in the zone delimited by the inductor, this sensor comprising a pair of transductors making it possible to detect the partial differential, along the axis of the inductor, of the radial component of the field, means (68, 70) of demodulating the signals provided by the sensor, demodulation occurring with a phase shift of approximately ?/2 relative to the current supplying the inductor, and means (72, 74, 76) for processing the signals provided by the demodulation means and for providing a signal indicating that the sensor level has been reached by the material.

Abstract: A gas siphon type reactor (10) is used to carry out a three phase chemical reaction under pressure, such as the reduction of uranyl nitrate to uranous nitrate by hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst made up of platinum on a silica carrier. The control of the pressure in the reactor (10) is provided by regulating the liquid and gas flow rates from separator (52), into which the liquid and the gas leaving the reactor (10) are routed. The liquid in the reactor (10) is tapped from a lateral branch pipe (32) fitted with a filter (36) and emerging in the upper area (30), behind a profiled wall (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing respirable air comprising the following stages: treatment of compressed air comprising an air-drying operation rehumidification of the treated dry air. According to the invention, the rehumidification stage of the treated dry air comprises an operation of controlled distribution of the treated dry air on the one hand in a rehumidification line (24), and on the other hand in a dry line (22). The invention also relates to an installation (1) for utilising such a process. Application to the area of nuclear installation dismantling.

Abstract: Vertical segments of a side wall of a crucible for an induction furnace are assembled at an adjustable, invariable position by screws screwed into tapped holes of a flange common to all segments. A precise assembly is thus obtained producing no deformation and no internal stresses. The segments are coated with a ceramic coating for their protection and to prevent formation of electric arcs. Junction edges of faces are rounded to achieve the same effect. Water cooling boxes of the lower furnace hearth are similarly constructed. The apparatus can, as an example, be applied to vitrification techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a method of drying metallic waste having pyrophoric tendencies (liable to catch fire and/or explode), said waste being for compacting; an apparatus for drying said waste, the apparatus including a compacting canister and being suitable for implementing said drying method; and a canister for compacting said waste, the canister being particularly adapted to implementing said drying method.

Abstract: A tool (7) for sampling or extracting the contents of a pit (4) is suspended from a cable (8) passing through a narrow opening (3) in a slab (2) covering the pit. A crosspiece (13) hooked to guide cables (11) which converge on it makes it possible to displace the lifting cable (8) under the slab (2) according to different movements imposed by winches (10). Thus it is possible to move the tool (7) to the desired point with great precision and without having to descend into the pit (4).

Abstract: A measurement rod for measuring the level of a liquid bath is cooled but is provided with a solid end piece so that the bath cannot solidify in front of the orifice of the measurement gas injected in the bath, for which the pressure is being measured.

Abstract: A device for controlling a continuous movement of an object with symmetry of revolution (1) comprises a conveyor (5) having two parallel guides, (6) and at least one pair of belts (8) stretched on the guides, between and on which these objects move at the level of the guides. These belts form an angle (11) between a top track and a lower track of each of the belts. The belts in the pair have the same direction of rotation around the guides, the same value of the measured angle (11) from the upper track to the lower track, and the same displacement speed. Preferably, the pair of belts consists of a single folded belt.