Handling and conditioning techniques of activated chips for the decommissioning of the E. Fermi nuclear power plant

In this paper a new technique to handle solid radioactive materials inside a liquid matrix is presented. The conceptual design of the device profits of the experience and know-how gained in decontamination procedures. The proposed system makes use of an ejector for the suction of a water-highly radioactive swarf mixture from the purifiers pool of the Italian E. Fermi NPP and moving it in a suitable container for the subsequent conditioning. A dedicated circuit with an ejector to demonstrate the feasibility of the method was realized. A minimum inlet flow was found to have swarf suction. No swarf packaging conditions were observed in the performed tests, demonstrating the feasibility of the method.