EP0520847A1 - Process for working with a laser in a contaminated zone of a nuclear power plant and device for carrying out the process - Google Patents

Process for working with a laser in a contaminated zone of a nuclear power plant and device for carrying out the process Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0520847A1
EP0520847A1 EP92401465A EP92401465A EP0520847A1 EP 0520847 A1 EP0520847 A1 EP 0520847A1 EP 92401465 A EP92401465 A EP 92401465A EP 92401465 A EP92401465 A EP 92401465A EP 0520847 A1 EP0520847 A1 EP 0520847A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
laser
energy
equipment according
beams
generator
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Granted
Application number
EP92401465A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0520847B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Cartry
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Areva NP SAS
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Framatome SA
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F22—STEAM GENERATION
    • F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
    • F22B37/00—Component parts or details of steam boilers
    • F22B37/002—Component parts or details of steam boilers specially adapted for nuclear steam generators, e.g. maintenance, repairing or inspecting equipment not otherwise provided for
    • F22B37/003—Maintenance, repairing or inspecting equipment positioned in or via the headers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B7/00—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
    • B08B7/0035—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by radiant energy, e.g. UV, laser, light beam or the like
    • B08B7/0042—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by radiant energy, e.g. UV, laser, light beam or the like by laser
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
    • G21F9/001—Decontamination of contaminated objects, apparatus, clothes, food; Preventing contamination thereof
    • G21F9/005—Decontamination of the surface of objects by ablation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and equipment for laser work on a surface contained in a contaminated area of a nuclear installation.
  • the invention applies in particular to the decontamination by laser beam, in an aqueous or gaseous medium, of surfaces having received a deposit of radioactive materials such as activated metal oxides, in order to reduce the level of radiation and thus allow the access or approach of response personnel.
  • the primary circuit of pressurized water nuclear power plants is concerned with this invention and more particularly the water box of the steam generators and the primary pipes.
  • Decontamination may be necessary during a check or repair to be carried out in the contaminated part of the plant, when replacing equipment such as a steam generator, and also when dismantling this plant.
  • the object of the invention is to make it possible to work efficiently by means of a laser in a contaminated area.
  • the method according to the invention is characterized in that the working energy is generated, in the form of at least two pulsed laser beams, outside the contaminated area; this energy is transported by means of at least two optical fibers associated respectively with said beams, to a location close to said surface; at this location, the laser beams are combined so as to produce at least one resulting laser beam; and this resulting beam is sent to said surface, possibly via at least one deflection mirror.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown in Figure 1, in axial section, one 1 of the two compartments of the water box 2 of a pressurized water nuclear reactor steam generator.
  • This compartment 1 is delimited upwards by the tube plate 3, on one side by the vertical middle partition 4 of the water box, and on the other side and downwards by the hemispherical bottom 5 of the water box , which is crossed by a manhole 6.
  • FIG. 1 also shows an item of equipment 7 adapted to allow the decontamination by laser beam of the surfaces which delimit the compartment 1.
  • This equipment comprises an external device 8 arranged outside the water box, in a suitable protected room radiation, and an internal apparatus 9 disposed inside the compartment 1 and which can be introduced into the latter through the manhole.
  • the apparatus 8 comprises a console control 10, a generator of electrical energy and fluids 11, two identical pulsed laser beam generators 12A, 12B, and a suction pump 13 at the inlet of which a filter 14 is provided.
  • the apparatus 9 comprises a device or box 15 for combining laser beams and a confinement enclosure 16, carried by a support 17.
  • the box 15 has two inputs respectively connected to the output of the generators 12A and 12B by an optical fiber 18A, 18B multimode type having a length of at least about 15 m.
  • the enclosure 16 is connected on the one hand, via a line 19, to a source of protective (neutral or reducing) or active gas contained in the generator 11, and on the other hand, via a line 20, to the filter 14 and at the pump 13.
  • the support 17 constitutes the end of an articulated robot, shown diagrammatically at 21, remotely controlled from the console 10 and making it possible to arrange the apparatus 9 facing any region of the surfaces 3, 4, 5 to decontaminate and in the vicinity thereof.
  • the apparatus 9 is shown in more detail in Figure 2.
  • the housing 15 is fixed to the support 17 and provided with an electrical supply 23 connected via a line 26 ( Figure 1) to the generator 11
  • An inlet face of the housing 15 is pierced with two orifices in which the distal end of the optical fibers 18A, 18B are respectively fixed, and, after their combination in this housing, the two incoming beams form a single parallel pulsed laser beam which comes out through an outlet 29.
  • the support 17 carries a frame 30 in which several columns 31 parallel to the axis XX of the housing 15, urged by springs 32 in the opposite direction to this housing, are sliding mounted.
  • the enclosure 16, which has a cup shape, has a bottom 33 perpendicular to the axis XX which is fixed to the distal end of the balusters 31, and a side wall 34 whose free edge is provided with rollers 35.
  • the bottom 33 has an orifice 36 of axis XX whose diameter is slightly greater than that of the combined beam 37.
  • Each laser generator 12A and 12B is of a type allowing the transport of the beam by optical fiber. It can in particular be of the Nd-YAG type (wavelength 1.06 ⁇ m) or of the excimer type (wavelength 0.3 ⁇ m). It comprises at its output two amplifiers 38, 39 in series (or, as a variant, a single amplifier) and emits pulses having a duration of 10 to 30 ns.
  • a synchronization device or box 40 is associated with the two generators 12A, 12B, and the assembly is adjusted to supply at the output of the combination box 15 a combined beam 37 whose pulses have an energy of 0.3 to 2 joules or plus and an energy density (or fluence) of 1 to 4.5 J / cm2.
  • rollers 35 are applied, with a force determined by the springs 32, to the surface to be decontaminated, which is the partition 4 in the example shown.
  • a protective or active gas scans the enclosure 16, and the pulsed beams emitted by the generators 12A and 12B, transported by the optical fibers 18A, 18B and combined at 15, are sent directly, in the form of the single parallel beam 37, to the surface to be treated, perpendicular to it. All the surfaces to be decontaminated are scanned in this way by moving the support 17 by means of the robot 21.
  • the aforementioned energy density is chosen so as to allow thermal penetration corresponding to the thickness, or part of the thickness, of the layer of radioactive oxide to be removed, each impulse creating a shock wave on this layer.
  • the use of a neutral or sweeping reduction gas reduces the oxidation of the pickled surface, while the use of an active gas, in particular oxygen, makes it possible to increase the thickness of the oxide layer. interested in laser pulses.
  • the choice of sweep gas will therefore be established according to the specific conditions of each application.
  • the use of a multimode optical fiber for the transport of each laser beam provides a considerable advantage linked to the distribution of energy in the beam leaving said fiber, and therefore at the spot of impact of the beam on the wall. Indeed, in this case, the energy distribution is substantially constant over the entire surface of the spot; it is in the form of a slot instead of having a distribution comprising a central peak as is the case with transmission of the beam by air.
  • the fibers must be long enough for the energy homogenization to be correct, for example of the order of 10 m. With shorter optical fibers, it would be appropriate in certain cases to use in the generators 12A and 12B devices known per se providing a homogeneous distribution, in niche, of the energy.
  • the apparatus 9A shown in Figure 3 differs from that of Figure 2 in that the support 17 is arranged so that the axis X-X of the combination housing 15 is parallel to the surface to be treated.
  • the posts 31 are perpendicular to this axis X-X, and a deflection mirror 38 inclined at 45 ° is fixed opposite the orifice 36 of the enclosure 16.
  • the operation of this variant is the same as that described above. This variant applies in particular to laser work in reduced spaces.
  • the variant of Figure 3 can be modified as follows: the 16-column 31-mirror 38 enclosure assembly is connected to the support 17 by means of another support mounted mobile on the latter, in translation and / or in rotation around the axis of the housing 15. It is thus possible, for each position of this housing, to effectively scan a relatively large region to be treated, whatever the shape of this region.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show such a modification, applied to the decontamination of the wall of a primary pipe, assumed to be straight in the case of Figure 4 and curved in that of Figure 5.
  • the housing 15 is fixed by spacers 42 in the suction duct 20, as is a motor 43.
  • the conduit 20 is carried by a carriage 44 for centering and guiding in the conduit 45 to be decontaminated.
  • the enclosure 16 constitutes the distal end of an L-shaped tube 46 the other end of which, directly connected to this enclosure by a branch 20A, is mounted co-axially in rotation in the distal end of the conduit 20 and receives the housing 15.
  • the deflection mirror 38 is fixed in the elbow of the tube 46.
  • the proximal end of this tube externally carries a toothed crown 47 which meshes with an output pinion 48 of the motor 43.
  • Appropriate means for advancing the carriage 44, possibly driven by the same motor 43, are generally provided.
  • FIG. 5 also shows a tip 49 for motorized guidance and advancement of the conduit 20, temporarily mounted at the end of the conduit 45.
  • the two generators 12A, 12B can be replaced by a single laser generator; if the power it emits can be transported by a single optical fiber, the box 15 is a simple device for optical treatment of the laser beam. Otherwise, the beam leaving the generator is divided into two partial beams, each of these is transported by an optical fiber, and they are recombined in the housing 15.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)

Abstract

According to this process, the working energy, in the form of at least two pulsed laser beams, is generated outside the contaminated zone (at 12A, 12B); this energy is conveyed by means of at least two optical fibres (18A, 18B) to a position near to the surface to be treated; at this position, the laser beams are combined (at 15) so as to produce at least one resultant laser beam (37); and this beam is sent onto the said surface, possibly via at least one return mirror. Application to the decontamination of the primary circuit in pressurised-water nuclear reactors. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention est relative à un procédé et un équipement de travail au laser sur une surface contenue dans une zone contaminée d'une installation nucléaire.The present invention relates to a method and equipment for laser work on a surface contained in a contaminated area of a nuclear installation.

L'invention s'applique notamment à la décontamination par faisceau laser, en milieu aqueux ou gazeux, de surfaces ayant reçu un dépôt de matières radioactives telles que des oxydes de métaux activés, afin de réduire le niveau de radiations et de permettre ainsi l'accès ou l'approche du personnel d'intervention.The invention applies in particular to the decontamination by laser beam, in an aqueous or gaseous medium, of surfaces having received a deposit of radioactive materials such as activated metal oxides, in order to reduce the level of radiation and thus allow the access or approach of response personnel.

Le circuit primaire des centrales nucléaires à eau pressurisée est concerné par cette invention et plus particulièrement la boîte à eau des générateurs de vapeur et les tuyauteries primaires.The primary circuit of pressurized water nuclear power plants is concerned with this invention and more particularly the water box of the steam generators and the primary pipes.

La décontamination peut être nécessaire lors d'une vérification ou d'une réparation à effectuer dans la partie contaminée de la centrale, lors du remplacement d'un équipement tel qu'un générateur de vapeur, et également lors du démantèlement de cette centrale.Decontamination may be necessary during a check or repair to be carried out in the contaminated part of the plant, when replacing equipment such as a steam generator, and also when dismantling this plant.

On connait plusieurs procédés de décontamination :

  • la projection de particules abrasives pour éliminer par abrasion la pellicule d'oxyde radioactive, ou la dissolution chimique de cette pellicule, qui ont pour inconvénient de produire des quantités importantes d'effluents coûteux à traiter;
  • la décontamination par faisceau laser. Dans un procédé connu de ce type, décrit dans le EP-A-91 646, un faisceau laser est émis à l'entrée de la boîte à eau et renvoyé sur la paroi intérieure de celle-ci par des miroirs orientables fixés à la plaque tubulaire. Ce procédé, de par sa conception même, ne permet pas, même avec des impulsions laser à forte densité d'énergie, de traiter de façon uniforme toutes les surfaces à décontaminer. De plus, l'élimination des résidus radioactifs, effectuée par aspiration de l'air contenu dans la boîte à eau, est peu efficace.
Several decontamination processes are known:
  • the projection of abrasive particles to eliminate by abrasion the film of radioactive oxide, or the chemical dissolution of this film, which have the disadvantage of producing large quantities of effluents which are expensive to treat;
  • laser beam decontamination. In a known method of this type, described in EP-A-91 646, a laser beam is emitted at the entrance to the water box and returned to the inside wall of the latter by orientable mirrors fixed to the plate tubular. This process, by its very design, does not allow, even with high energy density laser pulses, to uniformly treat all surfaces to be decontaminated. In addition, the elimination of radioactive residues, carried out by suction of the air contained in the water box, is not very effective.

L'invention a pour but de permettre de travailler de façon efficace au moyen d'un laser dans une zone contaminée.The object of the invention is to make it possible to work efficiently by means of a laser in a contaminated area.

A cet effet, le procédé suivant l'invention est caractérisé en ce qu'on génère l'énergie de travail, sous forme d'au moins deux faisceaux laser pulsés, hors de la zone contaminée; on transporte cette énergie au moyen d'au moins deux fibres optiques associées respectivement auxdits faisceaux, jusqu'à un emplacement voisin de ladite surface; à cet emplacement, on combine les faisceaux laser de façon à produire au moins un faisceau laser résultant; et on envoie ce faisceau résultant sur ladite surface, éventuellement par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un miroir de renvoi.To this end, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the working energy is generated, in the form of at least two pulsed laser beams, outside the contaminated area; this energy is transported by means of at least two optical fibers associated respectively with said beams, to a location close to said surface; at this location, the laser beams are combined so as to produce at least one resulting laser beam; and this resulting beam is sent to said surface, possibly via at least one deflection mirror.

Suivant d'autres caractéristiques :

  • on confine la région de travail et, pendant le travail au laser, on aspire le gaz contenu dans la région confinée;
  • on envoie un gaz protecteur ou actif dans la région de travail pendant le travail au laser;
  • pour la décontamination de ladite surface, ledit faisceau laser résultant possède des impulsions ayant une énergie de 0,3 à 2 joules, ou plus, et une densité d'énergie de 1 à 4,5 J/cm2;
  • lesdites impulsions ont une durée de 10 à 30 ns.
According to other characteristics:
  • the working region is confined and, during laser work, the gas contained in the confined region is sucked;
  • a protective or active gas is sent into the working region during the laser work;
  • for decontaminating said surface, said resulting laser beam has pulses having an energy of 0.3 to 2 joules, or more, and an energy density of 1 to 4.5 J / cm2;
  • said pulses have a duration of 10 to 30 ns.

L'invention a également pour objet un équipement destiné à la mise en oeuvre d'un tel procédé. Cet équipement est caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :

  • au moins un générateur d'énergie laser pulsée, notamment du type Nd-YAG ou excimère, disposé en dehors de la zone contaminée;
  • des moyens pour mettre l'énergie laser sous forme d'au moins deux faisceaux laser pulsés;
  • un dispositif de combinaison de ces faisceaux laser, produisant au moins un faisceau laser résultant dirigé vers ladite surface, éventuellement par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un miroir de renvoi;
  • au moins deux fibres optiques de transport desdits faisceaux, respectivement, jusqu'à l'entrée de ce dispositif de combinaison; et
  • des moyens pour déplacer le dispositif de combinaison en regard de ladite surface et au voisinage de celle-ci.
The invention also relates to equipment intended for the implementation of such a method. This equipment is characterized in that it includes:
  • at least one pulsed laser energy generator, in particular of the Nd-YAG or excimer type, arranged in outside the contaminated area;
  • means for putting the laser energy in the form of at least two pulsed laser beams;
  • a device for combining these laser beams, producing at least one resulting laser beam directed towards said surface, possibly via at least one deflection mirror;
  • at least two optical fibers for transporting said beams, respectively, to the entry of this combination device; and
  • means for moving the combination device opposite and in the vicinity of said surface.

Suivant d'autres caractéristiques :

  • l'équipement comprend une enceinte de confinement mobile solidairement avec le dispositif de combinaison ou avec le miroir et munie de moyens d'aspiration;
  • l'équipement comprend des moyens d'introduction d'un gaz protecteur ou actif dans l'enceinte de confinement;
  • l'équipement comprend deux générateurs d'énergie laser pulsée, une fibre optique associée à chaque générateur, et un dispositif de synchronisation des générateurs;
  • le ou chaque générateur comprend au moins un amplificateur de sortie;
  • chaque fibre optique a une longueur d'au moins 10 m environ;
  • le miroir de renvoi monté en aval du dispositif de combinaison est mobile par rapport à celui-ci;
  • dans le cas du traitement au laser d'une canalisation, le dispositif de combinaison est porté par un support centreur mobile axialement dans la canalisation, et le miroir de renvoi est fixé dans l'enceinte de confinement, laquelle est montée rotative sur ce support, ce dernier portant des moyens d'entraînement en rotation de l'enceinte.
According to other characteristics:
  • the equipment comprises a confinement enclosure movable integrally with the combination device or with the mirror and provided with suction means;
  • the equipment comprises means for introducing a protective or active gas into the containment;
  • the equipment includes two pulsed laser energy generators, an optical fiber associated with each generator, and a generator synchronization device;
  • the or each generator comprises at least one output amplifier;
  • each optical fiber has a length of at least about 10 m;
  • the deflection mirror mounted downstream of the combination device is movable relative to the latter;
  • in the case of laser treatment of a pipeline, the combination device is carried by a centrally movable support axially in the pipeline, and the deflection mirror is fixed in the confinement enclosure, which is rotatably mounted on this support, the latter carrying means for driving the enclosure in rotation.

Des exemples de mise en oeuvre de l'invention vont maintenant être décrits en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la Figure 1 représente schématiquement un équipement de décontamination au laser conforme à l'invention;
  • la Figure 2 représente à plus grande échelle un détail de cet équipement;
  • la Figure 3 est une vue analogue à la Figure 2 d'une variante; et
  • les Figures 4 et 5 sont des vues analogues à la Figure 2 illustrant la décontamination, conformément à l'invention, d'une conduite d'eau primaire.
Examples of implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 schematically shows a laser decontamination equipment according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 shows on a larger scale a detail of this equipment;
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a variant; and
  • Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figure 2 illustrating the decontamination, according to the invention, of a primary water pipe.

On a représenté à la Figure 1, en coupe axiale, l'un 1 des deux compartiments de la boîte à eau 2 d'un générateur de vapeur de réacteur nucléaire à eau pressurisée. Ce compartiment 1 est délimité vers le haut par la plaque tubulaire 3, d'un côté par la cloison verticale médiane 4 de la boîte à eau, et de l'autre côté et vers le bas par le fond hémisphérique 5 de la boîte à eau, lequel est traversé par un trou d'homme 6.There is shown in Figure 1, in axial section, one 1 of the two compartments of the water box 2 of a pressurized water nuclear reactor steam generator. This compartment 1 is delimited upwards by the tube plate 3, on one side by the vertical middle partition 4 of the water box, and on the other side and downwards by the hemispherical bottom 5 of the water box , which is crossed by a manhole 6.

On a également représenté sur la Figure 1 un équipement 7 adapté pour permettre la décontamination par faisceau laser des surfaces qui délimitent le compartiment 1. Cet équipement comprend un appareillage externe 8 disposé à l'extérieur de la boîte à eau, dans un local approprié protégé des radiations, et un appareillage interne 9 disposé à l'intérieur du compartiment 1 et pouvant être introduit dans celui-ci à travers le trou d'homme.FIG. 1 also shows an item of equipment 7 adapted to allow the decontamination by laser beam of the surfaces which delimit the compartment 1. This equipment comprises an external device 8 arranged outside the water box, in a suitable protected room radiation, and an internal apparatus 9 disposed inside the compartment 1 and which can be introduced into the latter through the manhole.

L'appareillage 8 comprend un pupitre de commande 10, un générateur d'énergie électrique et de fluides 11, deux générateurs de faisceau laser pulsé 12A, 12B identiques, et une pompe aspirante 13 à l'entrée de laquelle est prévu un filtre 14.The apparatus 8 comprises a console control 10, a generator of electrical energy and fluids 11, two identical pulsed laser beam generators 12A, 12B, and a suction pump 13 at the inlet of which a filter 14 is provided.

L'appareillage 9 comprend un dispositif ou boîtier 15 de combinaison de faisceaux laser et une enceinte de confinement 16, portés par un support 17. Le boîtier 15 comporte deux entrées respectivement reliées à la sortie des générateurs 12A et 12B par une fibre optique 18A, 18B de type multimode ayant une longueur d'au moins 15 m environ. L'enceinte 16 est reliée d'une part, via une conduite 19, à une source de gaz protecteur (neutre ou réducteur) ou actif contenue dans le générateur 11, et d'autre part, via une conduite 20, au filtre 14 et à la pompe 13. Le support 17 constitue l'extrémité d'un robot articulé, schématisé en 21, télécommandé depuis le pupitre 10 et permettant de disposer l'appareillage 9 en regard de n'importe quelle région des surfaces 3, 4, 5 à décontaminer et au voisinage de celle-ci.The apparatus 9 comprises a device or box 15 for combining laser beams and a confinement enclosure 16, carried by a support 17. The box 15 has two inputs respectively connected to the output of the generators 12A and 12B by an optical fiber 18A, 18B multimode type having a length of at least about 15 m. The enclosure 16 is connected on the one hand, via a line 19, to a source of protective (neutral or reducing) or active gas contained in the generator 11, and on the other hand, via a line 20, to the filter 14 and at the pump 13. The support 17 constitutes the end of an articulated robot, shown diagrammatically at 21, remotely controlled from the console 10 and making it possible to arrange the apparatus 9 facing any region of the surfaces 3, 4, 5 to decontaminate and in the vicinity thereof.

L'appareillage 9 est représenté plus en détail sur la Figure 2. Comme on le voit sur cette figure, le boîtier 15 est fixé au support 17 et pourvu d'une alimentation électrique 23 reliée via une ligne 26 (Figure 1) au générateur 11. Une face d'entrée du boîtier 15 est percée de deux orifices dans lesquels sont respectivement fixées l'extrémité distale des fibres optiques 18A, 18B, et, après leur combinaison dans ce boîtier, les deux faisceaux entrants forment un faisceau laser pulsé parallèle unique qui en ressort à travers un orifice de sortie 29.The apparatus 9 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. As can be seen in this figure, the housing 15 is fixed to the support 17 and provided with an electrical supply 23 connected via a line 26 (Figure 1) to the generator 11 An inlet face of the housing 15 is pierced with two orifices in which the distal end of the optical fibers 18A, 18B are respectively fixed, and, after their combination in this housing, the two incoming beams form a single parallel pulsed laser beam which comes out through an outlet 29.

A son extrémité distale, le support 17 porte un cadre 30 dans lequel plusieurs colonnettes 31 parallèles à l'axe X-X du boîtier 15, sollicitées par des ressorts 32 dans le sens opposé à ce boîtier, sont montées coulissantes. L'enceinte 16, qui a une forme de coupelle, présente un fond 33 perpendiculaire à l'axe X-X qui est fixé à l'extrémité distale des colonnettes 31, et une paroi latérale 34 dont le bord libre est muni de roulettes 35. Le fond 33 comporte un orifice 36 d'axe X-X dont le diamètre est légèrement supérieur à celui du faisceau combiné 37.At its distal end, the support 17 carries a frame 30 in which several columns 31 parallel to the axis XX of the housing 15, urged by springs 32 in the opposite direction to this housing, are sliding mounted. The enclosure 16, which has a cup shape, has a bottom 33 perpendicular to the axis XX which is fixed to the distal end of the balusters 31, and a side wall 34 whose free edge is provided with rollers 35. The bottom 33 has an orifice 36 of axis XX whose diameter is slightly greater than that of the combined beam 37.

Chaque générateur laser 12A et 12B est d'un type permettant le transport du faisceau par fibre optique. Il peut être en particulier du type Nd-YAG (longueur d'onde 1,06 µm) ou du type excimère (longueur d'onde 0,3 µm). Il comprend à sa sortie deux amplificateurs 38, 39 en série (ou, en variante, un seul amplificateur) et émet des impulsions ayant une durée de 10 à 30 ns. Un dispositif ou boîtier de synchronisation 40 est associé aux deux générateurs 12A, 12B, et l'ensemble est réglé pour fournir à la sortie du boîtier de combinaison 15 un faisceau combiné 37 dont les impulsions ont une énergie de 0,3 à 2 joules ou plus et une densité d'énergie (ou fluence) de 1 à 4,5 J/cm2.Each laser generator 12A and 12B is of a type allowing the transport of the beam by optical fiber. It can in particular be of the Nd-YAG type (wavelength 1.06 μm) or of the excimer type (wavelength 0.3 μm). It comprises at its output two amplifiers 38, 39 in series (or, as a variant, a single amplifier) and emits pulses having a duration of 10 to 30 ns. A synchronization device or box 40 is associated with the two generators 12A, 12B, and the assembly is adjusted to supply at the output of the combination box 15 a combined beam 37 whose pulses have an energy of 0.3 to 2 joules or plus and an energy density (or fluence) of 1 to 4.5 J / cm2.

En fonctionnement, les roulettes 35 sont appliquées, avec une force déterminée par les ressorts 32, sur la surface à décontaminer, qui est la cloison 4 dans l'exemple représenté. Un gaz protecteur ou actif balaye l'enceinte 16, et les faisceaux pulsés émis par les générateurs 12A et 12B, transportés par les fibres optiques 18A,18B et combinés en 15, sont envoyés directement, sous la forme du faisceau parallèle unique 37, sur la surface à traiter, perpendiculairement à celle-ci. On balaie toutes les surfaces à décontaminer de cette manière en déplaçant le support 17 au moyen du robot 21.In operation, the rollers 35 are applied, with a force determined by the springs 32, to the surface to be decontaminated, which is the partition 4 in the example shown. A protective or active gas scans the enclosure 16, and the pulsed beams emitted by the generators 12A and 12B, transported by the optical fibers 18A, 18B and combined at 15, are sent directly, in the form of the single parallel beam 37, to the surface to be treated, perpendicular to it. All the surfaces to be decontaminated are scanned in this way by moving the support 17 by means of the robot 21.

La densité d'énergie précitée est choisie de manière à permettre une pénétration thermique correspondant à l'épaisseur, ou à une partie de l'épaisseur, de la couche d'oxyde radioactive à éliminer, chaque impulsion créant une onde de choc sur cette couche. L'utilisation d'un gaz neutre ou réducteur de balayage réduit l'oxydation de la surface décapée, tandis que l'utilisation d'un gaz actif, notamment d'oxygène, permet d'augmenter l'épaisseur de la couche d'oxyde intéressée par les impulsions laser. Le choix du gaz de balayage sera donc établi en fonction des conditions particulières de chaque application.The aforementioned energy density is chosen so as to allow thermal penetration corresponding to the thickness, or part of the thickness, of the layer of radioactive oxide to be removed, each impulse creating a shock wave on this layer. The use of a neutral or sweeping reduction gas reduces the oxidation of the pickled surface, while the use of an active gas, in particular oxygen, makes it possible to increase the thickness of the oxide layer. interested in laser pulses. The choice of sweep gas will therefore be established according to the specific conditions of each application.

L'utilisation d'une fibre optique multimode pour le transport de chaque faisceau laser procure un avantage considérable lié à la répartition d'énergie dans le faisceau en sortie de ladite fibre, et donc au niveau de la tache d'impact du faisceau sur la paroi. En effet, dans ce cas, la répartition d'énergie est sensiblement constante sur toute la surface de la tache; elle est en forme de créneau au lieu d'avoir une répartition comportant un pic central comme c'est le cas avec une transmission du faisceau par voie aérienne. Il faut cependant que les fibres soient suffisamment longues pour que l'homogénéisation de l'énergie soit correcte, par exemple de l'ordre de 10 m. Avec des fibres optiques plus courtes, il conviendrait dans certains cas d'utiliser dans les générateurs 12A et 12B des artifices connus en soi fournissant une répartition homogène, en créneau, de l'énergie.The use of a multimode optical fiber for the transport of each laser beam provides a considerable advantage linked to the distribution of energy in the beam leaving said fiber, and therefore at the spot of impact of the beam on the wall. Indeed, in this case, the energy distribution is substantially constant over the entire surface of the spot; it is in the form of a slot instead of having a distribution comprising a central peak as is the case with transmission of the beam by air. However, the fibers must be long enough for the energy homogenization to be correct, for example of the order of 10 m. With shorter optical fibers, it would be appropriate in certain cases to use in the generators 12A and 12B devices known per se providing a homogeneous distribution, in niche, of the energy.

Comme on le comprend, une répartition en créneau de l'énergie permet de travailler sans perte d'efficacité avec des puissances laser réduites, ce qui est avantageux.As can be understood, a distribution of energy by niche makes it possible to work without loss of efficiency with reduced laser powers, which is advantageous.

L'utilisation d'un boîtier de combinaison 15 à proximité de la surface à décontaminer présente de nombreux avantages :

  • les générateurs laser 12A, 12B sont disposés en dehors de la zone contaminée;
  • les faisceaux laser peuvent être transportés par fibre optique jusqu'au voisinage de la surface à traiter, avec les avantages précités, ce qui ne serait pas le cas si toute l'énergie du faisceau 37 était fournie par un unique générateur laser, à cause des possibilités limitées de transport de puissance laser des fibres optiques;
  • le faisceau 37 étant un faisceau parallèle qui arrive perpendiculairement sur la surface à traiter, la distance entre cette surface et l'orifice de sortie de faisceau 29 du boîtier 15 n'est pas critique, et il n'est pas nécessaire de la maintenir constante.
The use of a combination box 15 near the surface to be decontaminated has many advantages:
  • the laser generators 12A, 12B are arranged outside the contaminated area;
  • laser beams can be transported by optical fiber to the vicinity of the surface to be treated, with the aforementioned advantages, which would not be the case if all the energy of the beam 37 was supplied by a single laser generator, because of the limited possibilities of power transmission fiber optic laser;
  • the beam 37 being a parallel beam which arrives perpendicularly on the surface to be treated, the distance between this surface and the beam exit orifice 29 of the housing 15 is not critical, and it is not necessary to keep it constant .

L'appareillage 9A représenté sur la Figure 3 diffère de celui de la Figure 2 par le fait que le support 17 est agencé de façon que l'axe X-X du boîtier de combinaison 15 soit parallèle à la surface à traiter. Les colonnettes 31 sont perpendiculaires à cet axe X-X, et un miroir de renvoi 38 incliné à 45° est fixé en regard de l'orifice 36 de l'enceinte 16. Le fonctionnement de cette variante est le même que celui décrit plus haut. Cette variante s'applique notamment au travail au laser dans des espaces réduits.The apparatus 9A shown in Figure 3 differs from that of Figure 2 in that the support 17 is arranged so that the axis X-X of the combination housing 15 is parallel to the surface to be treated. The posts 31 are perpendicular to this axis X-X, and a deflection mirror 38 inclined at 45 ° is fixed opposite the orifice 36 of the enclosure 16. The operation of this variant is the same as that described above. This variant applies in particular to laser work in reduced spaces.

La variante de la Figure 3 peut être modifiée comme suit : l'ensemble enceinte 16-colonnettes 31-miroir 38 est relié au support 17 par l'intermédiaire d'un autre support monté mobile sur ce dernier, en translation et/ou en rotation autour de l'axe du boîtier 15. On peut ainsi, pour chaque position de ce boîtier, balayer efficacement une région relativement étendue à traiter, quelle que soit la forme de cette région.The variant of Figure 3 can be modified as follows: the 16-column 31-mirror 38 enclosure assembly is connected to the support 17 by means of another support mounted mobile on the latter, in translation and / or in rotation around the axis of the housing 15. It is thus possible, for each position of this housing, to effectively scan a relatively large region to be treated, whatever the shape of this region.

Les Figures 4 et 5 représentent une telle modification, appliquée à la décontamination de la paroi d'une conduite primaire, supposée rectiligne dans le cas de la Figure 4 et incurvée dans celui de la Figure 5.Figures 4 and 5 show such a modification, applied to the decontamination of the wall of a primary pipe, assumed to be straight in the case of Figure 4 and curved in that of Figure 5.

Le boîtier 15 est fixé par des entretoises 42 dans le conduit d'aspiration 20, de même qu'un moteur 43. Le conduit 20 est porté par un chariot 44 de centrage et de guidage dans la conduite 45 à décontaminer. L'enceinte 16 constitue l'extrémité distale d'un tube en L 46 dont l'autre extrémité, directement reliée à cette enceinte par une dérivation 20A, est montée co-axialement à rotation dans l'extrémité distale du conduit 20 et reçoit le boîtier 15. Le miroir de renvoi 38 est fixé dans le coude du tube 46. L'extrémité proximale de ce tube porte extérieurement une couronne dentée 47 qui engrène avec un pignon de sortie 48 du moteur 43. Des moyens appropriés d'avance du chariot 44, éventuellement entraînés par le même moteur 43, sont généralement prévus.The housing 15 is fixed by spacers 42 in the suction duct 20, as is a motor 43. The conduit 20 is carried by a carriage 44 for centering and guiding in the conduit 45 to be decontaminated. The enclosure 16 constitutes the distal end of an L-shaped tube 46 the other end of which, directly connected to this enclosure by a branch 20A, is mounted co-axially in rotation in the distal end of the conduit 20 and receives the housing 15. The deflection mirror 38 is fixed in the elbow of the tube 46. The proximal end of this tube externally carries a toothed crown 47 which meshes with an output pinion 48 of the motor 43. Appropriate means for advancing the carriage 44, possibly driven by the same motor 43, are generally provided.

On voit en outre sur la Figure 5 un embout 49 de guidage et d'avancement motorisé du conduit 20, monté provisoirement à l'extrémité de la conduite 45.FIG. 5 also shows a tip 49 for motorized guidance and advancement of the conduit 20, temporarily mounted at the end of the conduit 45.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, les deux générateurs 12A, 12B peuvent être remplacés par un générateur laser unique; si la puissance qu'il émet peut être transportée par une fibre optique unique, le boîtier 15 est un simple dispositif de traitement optique du faisceau laser. Dans le cas contraire, on divise le faisceau sortant du générateur en deux faisceaux partiels, on transporte chacun de ceux-ci par une fibre optique, et on les recombine dans le boîtier 15.In another embodiment of the invention, the two generators 12A, 12B can be replaced by a single laser generator; if the power it emits can be transported by a single optical fiber, the box 15 is a simple device for optical treatment of the laser beam. Otherwise, the beam leaving the generator is divided into two partial beams, each of these is transported by an optical fiber, and they are recombined in the housing 15.

Dans tous les cas, il est possible de créer plusieurs faisceaux 37 parallèles, pénétrant dans l'enceinte 16 par plusieurs orifices 36. On traite alors à chaque instant une plus grande surface.In all cases, it is possible to create several parallel beams 37, entering the enclosure 16 through several orifices 36. A larger surface is then treated at each instant.

Claims (13)

1 - Procédé de travail au laser sur une surface (3, 4, 5) contenue dans une zone contaminée (2) d'une installation nucléaire, caractérisé en ce qu'on génère l'énergie de travail, sous forme d'au moins deux faisceaux laser pulsés, hors de la zone contaminée (en 12A, 12B); on transporte cette énergie au moyen d'au moins deux fibres optiques (18A, 18B) associées respectivement auxdits faisceaux, jusqu'à un emplacement voisin de ladite surface; à cet emplacement, on combine (en 15) les faisceaux laser de façon à produire au moins un faisceau laser résultant (37); et on envoie ce faisceau résultant sur ladite surface, éventuellement par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un miroir de renvoi. 1 - Method of working with a laser on a surface (3, 4, 5) contained in a contaminated area (2) of a nuclear installation, characterized in that the working energy is generated, in the form of at least two pulsed laser beams, outside the contaminated area (at 12A, 12B); this energy is transported by means of at least two optical fibers (18A, 18B) associated respectively with said beams, to a location close to said surface; at this location, the laser beams are combined (at 15) so as to produce at least one resulting laser beam (37); and this resulting beam is sent to said surface, possibly via at least one deflection mirror. 2 - Procédé suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on confine la région de travail et, pendant le travail au laser, on aspire le gaz contenu dans la région confinée (16). 2 - Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the working region is confined and, during the laser work, the gas contained in the confined region (16) is sucked. 3 - Procédé suivant la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'on envoie un gaz protecteur ou actif dans la région de travail pendant le travail au laser. 3 - Process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a protective or active gas is sent into the working region during the laser work. 4 - Procédé suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, pour la décontamination de ladite surface (3 à 5), caractérisé en ce que ledit faisceau laser résultant (37) possède des impulsions ayant une énergie de 0,3 à 2 joules, ou plus, et une densité d'énergie de 1 à 4,5 J/cm2. 4 - Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, for the decontamination of said surface (3 to 5), characterized in that said resulting laser beam (37) has pulses having an energy of 0.3 to 2 joules , or more, and an energy density of 1 to 4.5 J / cm2. 5 - Procédé suivant la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que lesdites impulsions ont une durée de 10 à 30 ns. 5 - Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said pulses have a duration of 10 to 30 ns. 6 - Equipement de travail au laser sur une surface (3, 4, 5) contenue dans une zone contaminée (2) d'une installation nucléaire, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend : - au moins un générateur d'énergie laser pulsée (12A, 12B), notamment du type Nd-YAG ou excimère, disposé en dehors de la zone contaminée (2); - des moyens pour mettre l'énergie laser sous forme d'au moins deux faisceaux laser pulsés; - un dispositif (15) de combinaison de ces faisceaux laser, produisant au moins un faisceau laser résultant (37) dirigé vers ladite surface, éventuellement par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un miroir de renvoi; - au moins deux fibres optiques (18A, 18B) de transport desdits faisceaux, respectivement, jusqu'à l'entrée de ce dispositif de combinaison (15); et - des moyens (21) pour déplacer le dispositif de combinaison (15) en regard de ladite surface et au voisinage de celle-ci. 6 - Laser work equipment on a surface (3, 4, 5) contained in a contaminated area (2) of a nuclear installation, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one laser energy generator pulsed (12A, 12B), in particular of the Nd-YAG or excimer type, placed outside the contaminated zone (2); - Means for putting the laser energy in the form of at least two pulsed laser beams; - a device (15) for combining these laser beams, producing at least one resulting laser beam (37) directed towards said surface, optionally by means of at least one deflection mirror; - at least two optical fibers (18A, 18B) for transporting said beams, respectively, to the entry of this combination device (15); and - Means (21) for moving the combination device (15) opposite said surface and in the vicinity thereof. 7 - Equipement suivant la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une enceinte de confinement (16) mobile le long de ladite surface solidairement avec le dispositif de combinaison (15) ou avec le miroir (38) et munie de moyens d'aspiration (13, 14, 20). 7 - Equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a confinement enclosure (16) movable along said surface integrally with the combination device (15) or with the mirror (38) and provided with means of suction (13, 14, 20). 8 - Equipement suivant la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens (19) d'introduction d'un gaz protecteur ou actif dans l'enceinte de confinement (16). 8 - Equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means (19) for introducing a protective or active gas into the containment (16). 9 - Equipement suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend deux générateurs d'énergie laser pulsée (12A, 12B), une fibre optique (18A, 18B) associée à chaque générateur, et un dispositif (40) de synchronisation des générateurs. 9 - Equipment according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two pulsed laser energy generators (12A, 12B), an optical fiber (18A, 18B) associated with each generator, and a device (40) generator synchronization. 10 - Equipement suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le ou chaque générateur (12A, 12B) comprend au moins un amplificateur de sortie (38, 39). 10 - Equipment according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the or each generator (12A, 12B) comprises at least one output amplifier (38, 39). 11 - Equipement suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 10, caractérisé en ce que chaque fibre optique (18A, 18B) a une longueur d'au moins 10 m environ. 11 - Equipment according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that each fiber optic (18A, 18B) has a length of at least about 10 m. 12 - Equipement suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 11, caractérisé en ce que le miroir de renvoi (38) monté en aval du dispositif de combinaison (15) est mobile par rapport à celui-ci. 12 - Equipment according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the deflection mirror (38) mounted downstream of the combination device (15) is movable relative to the latter. 13 - Equipement suivant les revendications 7 et 12 prises ensemble, pour le traitement au laser d'une canalisation, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de combinaison (15) est porté par un support centreur (44) mobile axialement dans la canalisation (45), et en ce que le miroir de renvoi (38) est fixé dans l'enceinte de confinement (16), laquelle est montée rotative sur ce support, ce dernier portant des moyens (43) d'entraînement en rotation de l'enceinte. 13 - Equipment according to claims 7 and 12 taken together, for the laser treatment of a pipe, characterized in that the combination device (15) is carried by a centering support (44) movable axially in the pipe (45) , and in that the deflection mirror (38) is fixed in the confinement enclosure (16), which is rotatably mounted on this support, the latter carrying means (43) for driving the enclosure in rotation.
EP92401465A 1991-06-26 1992-05-27 Process for working with a laser in a contaminated zone of a nuclear power plant and device for carrying out the process Expired - Lifetime EP0520847B1 (en)

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FR919107897A FR2678418B1 (en) 1991-06-26 1991-06-26 LASER WORKING PROCESS IN A CONTAMINATED AREA OF A NUCLEAR FACILITY, AND EQUIPMENT FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
FR9107897 1991-06-26

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WO1995027986A1 (en) * 1994-04-09 1995-10-19 British Nuclear Fuels Plc Material removal by laser ablation
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EP0724929A3 (en) * 1995-01-31 1997-08-20 Toshiba Kk Underwater laser processing method and apparatus
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EP0724929A2 (en) * 1995-01-31 1996-08-07 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Underwater laser processing method and apparatus
US6056827A (en) * 1996-02-15 2000-05-02 Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute Laser decontamination method
FR2780288A1 (en) * 1998-06-26 1999-12-31 Rene Wajsfelner Cleaning and sanitizing wooden barrels used for wine maturation
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FR2863916A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-24 Commissariat Energie Atomique Contaminated surface cleaning comprises use of laser ablation beam emitted from cavity linked to electromagnetic radiation pump by optical fiber
FR2879101A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2006-06-16 Cogema LASER DECONTAMINATION OF THE SURFACE OF A PROFILE PIECE.
WO2006064156A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2006-06-22 Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Laser decontamination of the surface of a shaped component
JP2008523374A (en) * 2004-12-14 2008-07-03 コンパニー・ジェネラル・デ・マティエール・ニュークレエール Laser decontamination method for the surface of molded parts
US8369473B2 (en) 2005-12-09 2013-02-05 Areva Nc Device and method for the automated decontamination of a nuclear fuel rod
WO2013030353A1 (en) * 2011-08-31 2013-03-07 Hitachi Power Europe Gmbh Flushing device and method for cleaning an individual pipe of the pipe system of a boiler wall of a steam generator, said individual pipe branching off from a header piping
CN110180839A (en) * 2019-06-27 2019-08-30 清华大学 A kind of laser cleaner and laser cleaning method
CN110180839B (en) * 2019-06-27 2021-01-26 清华大学 Laser cleaning device and laser cleaning method

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EP0520847B1 (en) 1996-02-07
TW232070B (en) 1994-10-11
FR2678418B1 (en) 1994-08-05
ES2082401T3 (en) 1996-03-16
FR2678418A1 (en) 1992-12-31
DE69208161T2 (en) 1996-07-04
DE69208161D1 (en) 1996-03-21
CA2070265A1 (en) 1992-12-27
CZ284233B6 (en) 1998-09-16
RU2084976C1 (en) 1997-07-20
ZA924699B (en) 1993-12-27
CZ191892A3 (en) 1993-01-13

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