Petrus cell

The overall organization of the production of the isotopes americium 241, americium 243 and curium 244, showing the function of each hot cell as well as their interconnections, is shown schematically in Figure 2. Transfers can be made from the hot cells to the Petrus cell as follows ... 

The correct management of the various gaseous, liquid and solid wastes determines the regularity of production. The gaseous wastes flow through exhaust systems equipped with absolute filters and soda lime and activated charcoal traps. They are discharged into the atmosphere after analysis of their krypton 85 and iodine content. The liquid wastes from the various cells are stored in 1 nr tanks (located in Petrus) and removed periodically by a shielded tank truck for transport to a liquid waste treatment station in another C.E.A. center. 

Dissolver. The irradiated Pu/Al targets are dissolved in nitric acid in a dissolver placed in station 1 of the Petrus cell. This dissolver includes a reactor, bubble trap, condenser and soda scrubbing column for uncondensable gases. The reactor, built of Uranus 55 stainless steel, has an effective capacity of about 50 L. 

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