A 19-porthole contract!
After having been selected by Cegelec and EDF to supply portholes for a new laboratory for the management and treatment of irradiated materials (Lidec*) in Chinon, Lemer Pax has produced 19 lead glass units designed to protect operators against radiation when carrying out their work
This exceptional contract has lasted several months and required highly specialized tools to ensure the handling and ultra precise adjustment of the glass slabs in their frames. The only possible option is absolute water and air tightness between the various components with a built-in hygrometric regulatory system. This might appear simple at first sight, but when handling extremely fragile units (utilization of lead glass) weighing 4 tons each, the exercise requires great technical prowess. Moreover, assembling optical shielded lead glass requires continuous laser controls in order to ensure constant check of the transmission of light. Two-thirds of the portholes had been delivered at the start of June three months ahead of schedule!
* Lidec. Laboratoire Intégré d'Expertises CEIDRE1 - Lidec is the French electricity board's (EDF) laboratory devoted to the development of integrating expertise in the fields of metallurgy and chemistry, namely the transit and treatment of irradiated materials shielded hot cells cellules fitted with remote-controlled manipulators or with systems for conveying test-tubes. For example, it will be directly operational for the dismantling of France's first nuclear power plant in Chinon, (put into service in 1964) where it is going to be installed. 1 CEIDRE : Centre of expertise in the field of production and operation
