Instrument Description
The transuranic breakout (TB) glovebox is a double-sided glovebox configured with a pressure control and purification system capable of maintaining a negative pressure and an inert atmosphere, with oxygen levels less than 10 parts per million, consisting of argon, He or a mixture of the two gases. This glovebox can accommodate and process plutonium-bearing and other TRU materials in various material forms. Transfers of material, equipment, or wastes between the glovebox and the hood are accomplished through the use of a transfer chamber.
Applications
The TB glovebox is used to section, process, package, and inspect fissionable and radioactive materials including TRU elements. The form of this material may vary from solid metal, hydride, and/or oxide pieces to fines, powders, slugs, and materials mixed with organics. Pyrophoric materials are processed in the glovebox under inert-atmosphere conditions. The glovebox is divided into two compartments. The east compartment is used for radioactive material processing. The west compartment of the glovebox is maintained with low-potential contamination levels and is used to overpack primary or inner containers from the contaminated compartment of the glovebox into radiologically clean outer or secondary containers.
Specifications
The glovebox construction consists of stainless steel sides, ceiling, and deck. It has 1/2-in.-thick laminated shield glass windows with 8-in.-diameter Central Research Laboratories stainless steel push-through-type glove ports mounted directly in the windows to allow gloved access to each workstation. The ports may also be configured with an 8-in.-diameter bag, which allows bag-in/bag-out capability as needed in each compartment. An 8-in.-diameter bag port is located between compartments of the TB glovebox.