Abstract: The powder homogenizing apparatus of the invention comprises a cylindrical shell with a circular section and a substantially horizontal axis, an assembly of cylindrical drums disposed inside the shell and comprising an inner drum and an outer drum, the external face of the cylindrical wall of said outer drum being overlaid with blades, which drum assembly can homogenize the powder contained in the annular space formed between the outer drum and the shell, a space of revolution being formed between said inner and outer drums, and a shaft on which said cylindrical drum assembly is mounted in integral manner, said shaft being hollow and connected outside the shell to a cold air supply system and also connected to an air exhaust system outside the shell; drive means for rotating said shaft are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cleaning containment enclosures, and in particular for dedusting them. The invention is implemented with double containment; and suctioning is performed within a removable receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transforming plutonium oxalate into plutonium oxide by drying and then calcining. In said method, in a characteristic manner, the operations of drying and calcining are implemented continuously, in the presence of oxygen and with gas extraction, in two adjacent zones of a single apparatus, e.g. of the screw oven type, that is maintained at negative pressure. The present invention also provides apparatus suitable for implementing said method.

Abstract: A device for the controlled admission of a noxious powder into a box which includes a body having an open lower part that terminates in a sealing skirt. The body is connected to a powder inlet pipe and to a gas extraction pipe. A movable valve is disposed in the body. The valve is controlled by a magnetic device, and cooperates with the sealing skirt. A housing is fixed on the lower part of the body. The housing is open in its central part to allow the passage of the box therethrough and comprises a retractable device which ensures grip and transfer of the lid of the box. The device also includes means for detecting the quantity of powder in the box, and at least one ventilation circuit ensuring, at the level of the circumference of the opening of said housing and/or at the level of the sealing skirt, evacuation towards a treatment unit of that part of the powder which might be located at those levels.

Abstract: The powder homogenizing apparatus of the invention comprises a cylindrical shell with a circular section and a substantially horizontal axis, an assembly of cylindrical drums disposed inside the shell and comprising an inner drum and an outer drum, the external face of the cylindrical wall of said outer drum being overlaid with blades, which drum assembly can homogenize the powder contained in the annular space formed between the outer drum and the shell, a space of revolution being formed between said inner and outer drums, and a shaft on which said cylindrical drum assembly is mounted in integral manner, said shaft being hollow and connected outside the shell to a cold air supply system and also connected to an air exhaust system outside the shell; drive means for rotating said shaft are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating device for continuously filtering a liquid such as a solution containing a precipitate.

Abstract: The powder mixing apparatus comprises a circular section cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis that is substantially horizontal, the body being leakproof and having two disk-shaped walls and an annular wall, the apparatus having a disk placed coaxially inside said body, the edge of said disk being substantially in contact with the annular wall so as to subdivide said body into two cylindrical compartments of substantially equal volume, said disk being provided on each of its faces with at least one blade for guiding said powder during rotation of said disk to a transfer orifice passing through said disk so as to enable at least a portion of the powder contained in one compartment to pass into the other compartment on each revolution of the disk, said blades being angularly offset, a horizontal drive shaft secured to the center of said disk serving to rotate said disk, and motor means serving to drive said drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of stirring a medium contained in a receptacle having at least one non-magnetic wall, the medium being stirred by means of a magnetic stirrer comprising a magnetic moving body placed in said medium on one side of said non-magnetic wall(s) and drive equipment for rotating said magnetic moving body disposed outside said medium on the other side of said non-magnetic wall. In characteristic manner, the method is implemented while continuously monitoring the magnitude of the magnetic attraction force between said magnetic object and the drive equipment therefor. The present invention also provides apparatus suitable for implementing said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transforming plutonium oxalate into plutonium oxide by drying and then calcining. In said method, in a characteristic manner, the operations of drying and calcining are implemented continuously, in the presence of oxygen and with gas extraction, in two adjacent zones of a single apparatus, e.g. of the screw oven type, that is maintained at negative pressure. The present invention also provides apparatus suitable for implementing said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating device for continuously filtering a liquid such as a solution containing a precipitate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling with powder a container having an interior and an opening to the interior that is closable by a lid. The method includes the steps of docking the opening in the container with a transfer apparatus including a powder-feed duct and dropping a coupling tube vertically downwardly through the duct to communicate with the interior of the container. The powder is passed vertically downwardly through said transfer apparatus downstream from the powder-feed duct through the coupling tube to said container, with the coupling tube serving to protect internal mechanical parts of said transfer apparatus. During the transfer, a low level of suction is maintained inside the transfer apparatus to avoid any accumulation of the powder and any release of the powder outside the apparatus.