Measurement of secondary emissions during laser cutting of steel equipments

Abstract In order to dismantle some equipments of an obsolete reprocessing plant in Marcoule, studies were carried out by IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire)/DSU/SERAC in cooperation with CEA (power laser group) on the laser cutting of steel structures, on the request of AREVA NC/Marcoule (UP1 dismantling project manager) and CEA/UMODD (UP1 dismantling owner). These studies were aimed at: • quantifying and characterizing the secondary emissions produced by Nd-YAG laser cutting of Uranus 65 steel pieces and examining the influence of different parameters, • qualifying a prefiltration technique and particularly an electrostatic precipitator, • comparing the Nd-YAG laser used with other cutting tools previously studied especially on aerosol production and aerosol size distribution.