Remote maintenance technology for a large scale Hot Laboratory

Sakamoto, Naoki ; Yoshikawa, Katsunori; Kushida, Naoya ; Katsuyama, Kozo ; Nagamine, Tsuyoshi

The large-scale post irradiation examination facility for fast breeder reactor fuel assemblies has been operated since 1978 in JAEAs Oarai Research and Development Center. The facility has several hot cells and irradiated fuel assemblies are dismantled in the examination cell which is 6 m in length, 19.5 m in width and 7 m in height. Remote maintenance technology for use in the hot laboratory was established using electromechanical manipulators, in-cell cranes and a repair hoist system installed in the examination cell. The test equipment which is used for post irradiation examinations can be repaired using the electromechanical manipulators and in-cell cranes by remote handling. In addition, the electromechanical manipulators and in-cell cranes are designed to permit self-repair using the repair hoist system in the cell by remote handling.