EXPERIENCES OF REMOTE OPERATED DISMANTLING OF GLOVE-BOX

The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) has a glove-box (GB) dismantling facility (GBDF) in the Plutonium Fuel Production Facility. Some GBs for the MOX fuel fabrication process had been dismantled in the GBDF using the direct dismantling method that is done by workers equipped with protective equipment including an air supply. Additionally, GBDF has remote control apparatuses, such as manipulators. The manipulators had been used for assistance purposes and carried out a small remote operated dismantling examination. This time, a remote operated dismantling of a whole GB that was 9m 3 volume was conducted by them. It was confirmed that the dismantling activities, which consist of removal of the glove panel, dismantling of the interior equipment and dismantling of the GB body and made up about 45% of the overall dismantling of GB in the GBDF, could be adequately performed by remote control. The working efficiency of remote operated dismantling work is approximately comparable to the efficiency of direct dismantling work. It revealed additional concerns to be examined so that the GB remote operated dismantling activity could be improved. JNC is considering a remote operated dismantling of GB method as one possible solution for the advancement of safe and effective GB dismantling technology as part of the decommissioning of the nuclear fuel facility.