Patent Number: 062630377
Section: summary

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cutting zone for use in a nuclear power plant. More specifically, the invention relates to a cutting zone barrier that isolates the cutting zone from the entire pool cavity to reduce the spread of microscopic radioactive particles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the life of a nuclear power plant, various power plant internals will need to be decommissioned. During the decommissioning process, the components being deconmmissioned are generally cut-up into smaller segments to facilitate removal and storage. When the retired components are being cut-up, microscopic radioactive particles are produced. To reduce the amount of airborne particles, the cutting process is often carried out in the reactor pool cavity. Consequently, the microscopic particles generated become suspended in the water cavity. However, these particles can be spread throughout the power plant through the water cavity, causing increased exposure to personnel or additional contamination to the nuclear utility. Thus, there is needed a cutting zone barrier that isolates the cutting zone from the entire pool cavity to reduce the spread of unwanted contamination. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an enclosed cutting zone for use in a nuclear power plant. The cutting zone includes a cutting zone barrier and a transfer zone. The barrier zone includes a movable, submergible upper rig, an upper inflatable ring supported by the submergible rig; a lower inflatable ring supported by the submergible rig; and a means for coupling the vertically extending edges of the submergible upper rig to form a barrier zone having enclosed sidewalls and an open top and bottom. The means for coupling the ends of the submergible rig is a zipper, wherein the zipper is formed of plastic and includes two rows of interlocking teeth. Alternatively, the zipper is formed of plastic and includes a recessed channel sized to receive an outwardly protruding ridge. In this form, the zipper is closed by inserting the protruding ridge into the recessed channel. The zipper is supported by the submergible rig in a location between the cutting zone and the transfer zone so as to permit access to the transfer zone upon opening the zipper. The transfer zone includes a movable, submergible upper rig; an upper inflatable ring supported by the submergible rig; and a lower inflatable ring supported by the submergible rig. The transfer zone is coupled to exterior surface of the barrier zone so as to form a structure having enclosed sidewalls and an open top.