EP0044257B1 - Plant to replace a device of a circuit with contaminated fluid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an installation for replacing a member of a contaminated fluid circuit.

Installations for treating contaminated fluids, in particular radioactive fluids, include piping circuits in which the contaminated fluid circulates. On these circuits are arranged transfer, distribution and purification organs, such as pumps, valves, filters. These members are subject to wear, in particular when they include moving parts, and / or to fouling. It is therefore necessary to proceed, at more or less long time intervals depending on the case, with their replacement by new or reconditioned members. Apart from these replacements for wear or fouling, it may also be necessary to replace an organ with another organ of different nature or characteristics, for example of a pump with another pump, in principle and / or different flow.

Until now, the components to be replaced by contaminated fluid circuits have been mounted in the circuits in a conventional manner, for example by being connected to the pipes by screwed or bolted flanges. In the event of replacement, the dismantling and mounting takes place under a protective casing, with remote handling devices allowing for disassembly to loosen the bolts of the flanges and release them and, for the mounting of new members, perform the reverse operations. This intervention method is not satisfactory, on the one hand because it does not definitively eliminate the risks of spread of the contamination, in particular because it is in many cases difficult, after disassembly operations, and before the installation of the new organ, rigorously isolate the remaining parts of the circuit from the atmosphere. However, on the other hand, this method has the drawback of requiring extremely long periods for its implementation, during which the installation cannot be used.

The subject of the invention is an installation making it possible to carry out the replacement operations mentioned above without resorting to placing under castle from the start, this being carried out only after dismantling to ensure the transport of the organ disassembled to a repair or treatment workshop, and both the disassembly of the organ to be replaced and the assembly of the replacement organ are carried out, without any risk of spreading the contamination, in a very short time which does not significantly affect the production of the installation.

The invention applies more particularly to installations for treating radioactive fluids, but also applies, outside this particular field, to any installation treating fluids capable of spreading contamination of any kind.

More specifically, the installation for replacing a member of a contaminated fluid circuit according to the invention includes the features of claim 1.

Preferably, the means for centering the module relative to the casing are constituted by vertical columns secured to the base of the casing, and by tubular spacers secured to the module, each column comprising a lower centering part, an intermediate part of smaller diameter, an upper centering part and a cylindrical-frustoconical head connected to the upper centering part by a collar of smaller diameter.

• un bâti comportant à sa partie supérieure une tête de préhension identique à celle du module, sur lequel sont montés des étriers latéraux solidaires d'axes verticaux en nombre égal à ceux des colonnes, ces étriers étant disposés en regard de celles-ci, les axes verticaux coulissant dans le bâti et étant rappelés vers le haut par un empilage de rondelles élastiques, leur extrémité faisant saillies au-dessus du bâti, les étriers comportant des boutonnières dont une extrémité permet le passage des têtes cylindro-tronconiques des colonnes, tandis que l'autre extrémité plus étroite ne permet que le passage des collets.

A particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention is constituted by the fact that the means for clamping the module on the cap can be operated by means of a traveling crane. These clamping means consist of:

• a frame comprising at its upper part a gripping head identical to that of the module, on which are mounted lateral stirrups integral with vertical axes in number equal to those of the columns, these stirrups being arranged facing these, the axes vertical sliding in the frame and being recalled upwards by a stack of elastic washers, their end projecting above the frame, the stirrups comprising buttonholes, one end of which allows the cylindrical-frustoconical heads of the columns to pass, while the 'other narrower end allows only the passage of the collars.

• des moyens pour introduire les modules en bon état dans l'enceinte ;
• un pont roulant susceptible de se déplacer sur toute la longueur de l'enceinte, et permettant la manutention verticale et horizontale du module et du bâti ;
• un poste de rinçage des modules usagés ;
• une lèchefrite sur laquelle peuvent être déposés les modules disposés sur un chariot pouvant se déplacer sur des rails installés sur toute la longueur de l'enceinte ;
• des moyens de rinçage de la lèchefrite ;
• des moyens pour évacuer les modules hors d'usage de l'enceinte.

It is thus possible to very quickly dismantle a member of the circuit, and to proceed with its replacement. It is then possible to mount each of the organs which make up a fluid circuit on a module produced in accordance with the invention, and to arrange this module inside a box, all the boxes being enclosed inside a sealed containment of the contaminated fluid. This enclosure includes:

• means for introducing the modules in good condition into the enclosure;
• an overhead crane capable of moving over the entire length of the enclosure, and allowing vertical and horizontal handling of the module and the frame;
• a rinsing station for used modules;
• a universal pan on which the modules placed on a carriage can be placed, which can move on rails installed over the entire length of the enclosure;
• means for rinsing the drip pan;
• means for evacuating out-of-use modules from the enclosure.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows, given by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings.

In these drawings,

• FIG. 1 represents an installation for replacing a member of a contaminated fluid circuit produced in accordance with the present invention;
• Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a module according to the invention;
• 3 shows a sectional view of a box inside which is the module shown in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of the installation shown in Figure 1;
• FIG. 5 represents a sectional view of the zone for introducing the modules inside the enclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section view of the installation for replacing a contaminated fluid circuit member produced in accordance with the invention. Each member of this circuit, such as a pump, a valve, a filter, belongs to an assembly, hereinafter called "the module". According to the invention, these modules are designed so that a defective module can be removed quickly to be replaced by a module in good condition. To this end, the connections to the contaminated fluid circuit of the modules, as well as the drives of the organs mounted on these modules, are identical. It is therefore easy to replace a defective module with a module in good condition on which is mounted an analogous component or even a component of a different nature. The structure of such modules will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 2. In addition, all of the modules which constitute the contaminated fluid circuit is located inside a sealed enclosure 1.

From left to right of the figure, that is to say from upstream to downstream of the installation, there is successively a zone A for introducing the modules inside the enclosure, a zone active B successively comprising a zone B1 for the garage of the drip pan, a zone B2 for storing the modules in good condition, a zone B3 for modules in service, a zone B4 for rinsing the modules, a zone B5 for rinsing the drip pan, and finally a zone C for evacuating the modules outside the enclosure.

The sealed enclosure 1 includes means for introducing the modules in good condition, an overhead crane 2 capable of moving over the entire length of the enclosure and allowing vertical and horizontal manipulation of the module 4. A rinsing station has been provided. 6 of the used modules, as well as a rinsing station 8 of a drip pan 106 inside which these modules are moved in the enclosure. The enclosure 1 finally comprises means for evacuating the out-of-service modules from the enclosure.

This produces an installation inside which the contaminated fluid is confined. Only modules and drip trays which have been previously rinsed are removed from the enclosure.

The installation also includes, towards the downstream end, garages for the emergency carriages, namely the emergency carriage 12 of the drip pan carriage and the emergency carriage 14 of the traveling crane. Above the ceiling 16 of the enclosure is a service area 17 equipped with a winch from which it is possible, through openings provided with plugs 15, to carry out in the event of an accident on the devices placed below from the ceiling 16 for exceptional interventions.

Lateral to the assembly is a machine room where the pump drive means are grouped together as well as the control means for the various devices used according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a module produced in accordance with the invention. This module, designated by the general reference 18, consists of a horizontal base 20 on which is fixed the member 19 to be replaced. In the case of the embodiment shown, the member 19 is a pump. However, this organ could just as easily be another organ such as a valve, a filter, etc.

The pump 19 is connected to the contaminated fluid circuit by a suction pipe 22 and by a discharge pipe 24. In the pipes 22 and 24 the fluid circulates in the direction of the arrows 26 and 28. The suction pipes 22 and discharge 24 are connected to the pipes 32 of the fluid circuit. The seal between the pipes 22 and 24 and the pipes 32 is ensured by seals 36. According to the invention, the seals 36 are compressed by means of a clamping device. This clamping device will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The shaft 38 of the pump, arranged horizontally, can be driven by a motor-variator group, by means of a retractable coupling. A gripping head 40 secured to the ceiling 42 of the module 18 makes it possible to handle this module by means of an overhead crane. This gripping head has an inverted T-shaped opening.

FIG. 3 represents the package 44 and the module 18 in a direction perpendicular to that of FIG. 1. The pump 19 is thus shown at the end.

The box 44 consists of a sealed tank 46 having an inclined bottom 48 and provided with an overflow 50 equipped with a leak detector. The role of the box 44 is to collect all the accidental flows of contaminated liquid coming from the pump 19 and its connections.

The box has a fixed base 52 provided with supports 54 which pass through the bottom 48 of the tank 46 and transfer the weight of the module 18 onto a frame 56.

The ceiling 42 adapts in a sealed manner to the walls of the tank 44. In the example of embodiment described, the seal between the ceiling 42 and the tank 44 is produced by means of a hydraulic seal 59.

As has been specified, the pump 19 can be replaced by any member such as a filter or a valve, provided however that this member is mounted identically inside the casing 44. In particular, it is necessary that the diameter and location of the pipes through which this member 19 is connected to the contaminated fluid circuit are identical from one member to another. It is necessary that the coupling of this member is positioned identically. This is why, in accordance with the invention, means have been provided for centering the module 18 relative to the casing 44 when it is inserted inside the latter. These means consist, in the embodiment described, by four vertical columns 58, integral with the base 52 of the box. The columns 58 have a lower centering part 60, an intermediate part 62 of smaller diameter, an upper centering part 64 of diameter identical to that of the lower part and finally a cylindrical-frustoconical head 66 connected to the upper centering part 64 by a collar 68 of smaller diameter. The columns 58 cooperate with an equal number of tubular spacers 70 integral with the frame. Thus, when each of the columns 58 is introduced into the corresponding tubular spacer 70, the module 18 is correctly centered relative to the casing 44, so that the ends of the pipes 22 and 24 are located opposite the pipes 32 of the circuit of contaminated fluid. In an identical manner, the drive shaft of the member 19 is arranged opposite the retractable coupling.

This figure also shows the clamping device on the base 52 of the box, as well as the tenon 72 in the form of an inverted T of the traveling crane.

This clamping device is constituted by a frame 74 on which are mounted lateral stirrups 76 secured to vertical axes 78. The stirrups 76 are in number equal to that of the columns 58, and their spacing is identical to that of the latter. The axes 78 slide in the frame 74. They are returned upwards by means of a stack of elastic washers 80 of a stop ring 82 and immobilized on the axis 78. The length of the axis 78 is such that, when the stirrup 76 is pressed against the frame 74, its end 78a protrudes above the frame. The stirrups 76 have at their bottom an elongated opening. This opening consists of a cylindrical part 84, the diameter of which is large enough so that the cylindrical-frustoconical head 66 of the column 58 can pass through the latter, and a second part 86, of smaller diameter. , so that only the collar 68 can pass through this opening 86. Thus, when the frame 74 is moved longitudinally by means of the traveling crane 2, the heads 66 can be made to penetrate inside the stirrups 76.

The frame 74 also includes a gripping head 88 having an inverted T-shaped opening, identical to the gripping head 40 of the module, in order to allow their manipulation by means of a single stud 72. Above the clamping device, there is shown a counter plate 90 secured to the traveling crane. The counterplate 90 acts as a fixed stop against which the frame 74 can be pressed. The frame 74 is shown, on the right-hand side of the figure, when it is not pressed against the counter plate 90. On the contrary, on the left-hand side of the figure, the frame 74 is pressed against the counter-plate 90.

There is shown in Figure 4, on a smaller scale than that of Figure 3, the module 18 located in the housing 44 and the crane 2 for lifting this module. The traveling crane 2 consists of a frame 92 movable horizontally on rails 94. A frame 96, located under the frame 92, can move vertically in translation relative to the frame 92. It is moved by means of chains 95 driven by chain wheels. The frame 96 carries, at the end of the columns 98, a support plate 100 on which is fixed a hydraulic cylinder 102. At the end of the piston rod of this cylinder is fixed a gripping device comprising a tenon in the shape of an inverted T 72, likely to be housed in the corresponding openings of the gripping heads 40, 88 of the module 18 and of the frame 74. The counter-plate 90 mentioned previously is fixed parallel to the carrier plate 100. A circular orifice made in this plate allows the passage of the rod of the jack 102.

Below the traveling crane 2, there is shown on the right part of the figure, a carriage 104 movable horizontally on rails 108. The carriage 104 carries the drip pan 106.

Below the universal pan 106 is the module 18. In this figure, we can notice the reduction motor unit 110 which drives the member 19.

• une cellule d'introduction A' ;
• une cellule A" de levage du module, séparée de la cellule A' par un plancher en béton ;
• une cellule A'" contenant le mécanisme de levage du bouchon de cellule.

There is shown in Figure 5 a sectional view of the area A of introduction of the modules inside the enclosure. It includes, from bottom to top:

• an introductory cell A ';
• a module lifting cell A ", separated from cell A 'by a concrete floor;
• a cell A '"containing the lifting mechanism of the cell cap.

The module 18, enclosed inside a sealed container 112 provided with a cover 115, the container 112 being itself disposed inside a castle 114, is brought onto a wagon 116 movable horizontally on a track element 120 disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the installation in the introduction cell A '.

The cover 115 of the container 112 has hooking means by which it can be suspended from the plug 118. Vertical rails which extend between the concrete floor of cell A "and its ceiling make it possible to guide the plug of the cell during its lifting.

Rails 108 arranged over the entire length of the installation allows the carriage 104 of the drip pan 106 to move. Cylinders 121 allow the cover 115 to be hooked to the attachment device fixed in the plug 118 of the cell. These attachment devices are of the conventional type and will not be described in more detail. The cover 115 being thus hooked to the plug 118 of the cell, the assembly constituted by this plug, the cover 115, the drip pan 106 and the module 18 can be lifted by the chains 122 to be brought into the cell A ", as is can see it on the right side of figure 5.

The carriage 104 of the drip pan 106 is then brought under this assembly. The assembly can then be lowered until it rests on the carriage 104. It is then detached from the plug 118, the carriage 104 is moved away from the drip pan, so that the plug 118 can be replaced. We thus achieved the introduction of a module inside the enclosure.

• d'une zone d'évacuation C' desservie par un élément de voie ferrée orienté transversalement par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de l'ensemble et sur lequel roulent des chariots sur lesquels sont disposés des châteaux identiques au château 114 représenté sur la figure 5 ;
• une cellule C" séparée de la cellule C' par un plancher de béton dans lequel est ménagée une ouverture munie d'un bouchon amovible pouvant être déplacé verticalement sur des rails verticaux qui s'étendent entre le plancher et le plafond de la cellule C" ;
• d'une cellule C"' contenant le mécanisme de levage du bouchon de la cellule C".

The installation also includes an evacuation zone C of the modules removed. In an identical way to the zone of introduction A of the modules inside the enclosure, the zone C of evacuation is composed, going from the bottom to the top:

• an evacuation zone C 'served by a rail element oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the assembly and on which roll carriages on which are arranged castles identical to the castle 114 shown in Figure 5 ;
• a cell C "separated from cell C 'by a concrete floor in which is formed an opening provided with a removable plug which can be moved vertically on vertical rails which extend between the floor and the ceiling of cell C";
• of a cell C "'containing the mechanism for lifting the plug of cell C".

The evacuation operations of a module outside the enclosure are carried out in a reverse manner to that which has been described with reference to FIG. 5.

• Supposons qu'un organe du circuit de fluide contaminé, jusque-là en service, se révèle défectueux. On commence tout d'abord par arrêter l'installation. On entreprend ensuite le démontage du module défectueux et son remplacement par un module en bon état. Cette opération s'effectue en deux étapes. Tout d'abord, on dépose le bâti 74 qui bride le module 18 sur la base 52 de la boquette. On peut ensuite enlever le module 18 lui-même.

The operation of the installation which has just been described is as follows:

• Suppose that an organ of the contaminated fluid circuit, hitherto in service, turns out to be defective. We start by stopping the installation first. We then begin to dismantle the defective module and replace it with a module in good condition. This is done in two stages. First of all, the frame 74 is deposited, which flanges the module 18 on the base 52 of the box. We can then remove the module 18 itself.

In order to deposit the frame 74, the tenon 72 is introduced by horizontal translation of the traveling crane 2, inside the inverted T-shaped opening of the frame 74. The jack 102 is pressurized. As the head 78a of the rod 78 protrudes above the frame 74, the pressurization of the jack 102 has the effect of pressing the frame 74 against the counter plate 90, which lowers the rod 78 and the stirrup 76 relative to the frame, and, consequently, compresses the elastic washers 80. It is then possible, by lowering the frame 74, to release the stirrups 76 from the cylindrical-frustoconical heads 66. By horizontal translation of the traveling crane 2, the cylindrical-frustoconical heads 66 are brought opposite the openings of the stirrups 76. A vertical movement of the traveling crane 2 makes it possible to release them completely. The frame 74 is then deposited by means of the traveling crane 2 at a garage location, not shown, after the pressure in the jack 102 has been released.

The defective module 18 can now be easily removed from the casing 44 inside which it is located. For this, the traveling crane 2 is brought once again directly above the defective module 18. The lug 72 is inserted inside the inverted T-shaped opening which constitutes the gripping head of the module 18 by horizontal translation of the traveling crane 2. This module is then lifted to the position shown on the left side of Figure 4. The drip pan 106 and its carriage 104 are then brought under the module 18. The module 18 is deposited by means of the traveling crane 2 in the drip pan 106. This module is then transferred by means of the carriage 104 in the area B3 for rinsing faulty modules.

The crane 2 is transferred directly above a module in good condition. Indeed, a certain number of modules in good condition are permanently stored inside the enclosure 1, in the area B2 known as storage of modules in good condition. This module 18 in good condition is transferred directly above the casing 44 from which the defective module has previously been extracted, then lowered into this casing by horizontal translation of the frame 96. The spacers 70 of this module allow the module to be centered relative to to the box by means of the columns thereof. The frame 74 is then taken up again at the place where it was previously deposited, by means of the traveling crane 2. The jack 102 is first of all pressurized, which has the effect of pressing the frame 74 against the counter plate 90 and compress the elastic washers 80. It is therefore possible to introduce the cylindrical-frustoconical head 60 inside the stirrup 76 by passing it through the cylindrical opening, then by horizontal translation of the traveling crane, bring the collar 66 in the narrower part. The pressure is then released inside the jack, so that the elastic washers 80 can develop a significant force which again plates the module 18 on the base 52 of the box. The post 72 is then removed from the gripping head of the frame 74. After which, the traveling crane is distant.

The pump of the module 18 in good condition which has just been put in place is coupled to its drive. The installation can be restarted immediately.

The defective module 18 which had been left placed on the drip pan carriage 104 is introduced by means of the traveling crane 2 inside the rinsing station 6. This rinsing station consists of a cap, the tank 46 of which has lateral dimensions larger than those of the casings inside which the modules are in operation. This point aside, the rinsing station 6 is identical in all respects to the casing 44. In particular, it is provided with columns 62 which allow the centering of the defective module 18 relative to the latter. On the other hand, a frame 74 'identical to the frame 74 makes it possible to clamp the defective module 18 on the base 52' of the rinsing station. This operation is carried out in an identical manner to that which has been described for the clamping of the module 18 in good condition.

When the defective module 18 is clamped in the rinsing station 6, the pipes of its pump 19 are connected with a rinsing circuit, so that its internal rinsing can be carried out at the same time as its external rinsing by means of nozzles .

The universal pan 106 must also be rinsed. The rinsing station 8 of the drip pan 106 is of a conventional design in the field of decontamination installations. Its internal arrangement is of no particular interest for the present invention. This is why it has been represented schematically in FIG. 1.

After rinsing the defective module 18 and the drip pan 106, the rinsed module is deposited using the traveling crane 2 in the drip pan 106 placed on its carriage 104.

The evacuation of the out-of-use module outside the enclosure is carried out in a manner identical to its introduction described above, but in a reverse manner. The container of the extraction castle 122 is lifted, the castle cover 122 is hooked to the plug 124 and the cover is lifted by the traveling crane 2. The broiler pan 104 carrying the defective rinsed module 18 is then brought under the plug. The assembly constituted by the plug 124, the cover, the drip pan 106 and the module 18 is then slightly raised by means of the traveling crane 2, in order to release the carriage 104 from the drip pan which is then distant.

The drip pan 106 and module 18 assembly, suspended from the cover of the container itself hooked to the stopper 124, is lowered into the container of the extraction castle 122. Then the cover is removed from the stopper 124, the container is lowered into the castle 122 and the cover placed on the castle, while the stopper 124 is also replaced. The chateau is then evacuated to a module repair workshop, and a module in good condition is introduced upstream in zone B2 according to a process opposite to the evacuation process for defective modules.

The above description refers to a particular case where the replaced organ is a pump which has been found to be defective and which is replaced by an identical pump in good working order.

However, and as mentioned above, this example of application of the invention is not limiting and all of the devices described, as well as the succession of operations described, can also be applied to the replacement other organs, such as valves, filters, either by an identical organ, or by a different organ. It suffices that all these members are mounted in identical casings, in particular with regard to the diameter and location of the connection pipes and of the drive or control shaft, and are equipped with identical gripping devices. placed in a similar way, so that their “standard interchangeability is ensured in the context of the present invention. This is how we can replace a pump with another pump of a different model, on the only conditions that the caps have the same dimensions, that the connecting pipes and the drive shaft have the same diameters and the same locations and that the gripping devices are the same and similarly placed. It is practically always possible to fulfill these conditions by choosing respectively as the “standard diameter of pipes and shafts the largest diameters existing on the various pumps capable of being used in the installation. The pipes will be brought back to the same connection locations on the base of the box by intermediate pipes adapted to each type of pump and the drive shaft will be brought back to the same location by shifting the pump horizontally and vertically.

It is even conceivable, by doing so, to replace a pump by another member, such as a valve, if the need arises to modify the installation.

Furthermore, in the succession of operations described above, the actual operations of replacing the member to be changed are those referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 and they can be accomplished in a time of the order of one hour, much shorter than the time necessary to practice the same intervention according to the methods prior to the invention.

Thus, the present invention achieves the goals assigned to it.

Claims (8)

1. Installation for replacement of a component of a contaminated fluid circuit, characterized in that it comprises :

a fluid-tight bell (44), having an internal base member (52) whose supports (54) engage a frame (56) ;

an assembly (18), referred to herein as the module, adaptable to be introduced into the interior of the bell (44), said assembly comprising a horizontal base member (20) on which the component (19) for replacement is fixable, a roof member (42) which is adaptable in fluid-tight manner to the walls of the reactor vessel (46) and a gripping member (40) enabling lifting of the module (18) by an overhead traveller (2) ;

means for centering the module (18) with respect to the bell (44) ; and

means for ensuring fluid-tight coupling of the component (19) to the contaminated fluid circuit when the module (18) is located internally of the bell (44), said means comprising :

- vertical pipes (32) passing through the bottom (48) and the base member (52) of the bell, the ends thereof being located facing the inlets (22) and outlets (24) of the component (19) ;

- gaskets (36) between the pipes (32) and the inlet (22) and outlet (24) ;

- means for clamping the module to the bell (44) whereby to lock the gaskets (36) and thereby to achieve the required fluid-tightness ; and

- means for carrying in fluid-tight manner the component (19) fixed on the module (18).

2. Installation according. to claim 1, characterized in that the means for centering the module (18) with respect to the bell (44) comprise vertical columns (58) solidly fixed to the base member (52), and tubular struts (70) fixed to the module, each column (58) having a lower centering section (60), an intermediate section (62) of smaller diameter, an upper centering section (64) and a cylindro-frusto-conical head (66) connected to the upper centering section (64) by a neck section (68) of smaller diameter.

3. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for clamping the module to the bell comprise a frame (74) having at its upper end a gripping member (88) identical with that of the module, on which are mounted lateral stirrups (76) fixed to vertical shafts (78), the number thereof being equal to that of the columns, said stirrups (76) facing the same, the vertical shafts (78) sliding in the frame (74) and being urged upwards by a stack of elastic washers (80), their ends (78a) projecting above the frame (74), the stirrups comprising slots, one part of which permits passage of the cylindro-frusto-conical heads (66) of the columns (58) while the other end, being narrower, only permits passage of the neck members (68).

4. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the gripping members of the module and the frame (40, 88) comprise an opening in the form of an inverted T.

5. Installation according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the components (19) of the circuit forms part of a module (18), said module (18) being located inside a bell (44), and in that the assembly of components of the circuit is enclosed within a fluid-tight containment vessel (1) comprising :

means for introducing modules in good condition into the containment vessel (1) ;

an overhead traveller (2) adapted to be movable over the entire length of the containment vessel (1), and enabling vertical and horizontal transport of the module (18) and the frame (74) ;

a washing station (10) for used modules :

a tub (106) for deposition of the modules, located on a carriage displaceable along rails (108) installed over the entire length of the containment vessel (1) ;

means (8) for washing the tub ; and

means for removing the modules from the containment vessel (1) after use.

6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the washing station for defective modules comprises a bell whose casing has a diameter greater than the diameter of the casings (46) of the bells (44) within which are located functioning modules (18), and the defective module, once introduced into the interior of the washing station (6), is connected to a cleaning fluid circuit, whilst its external washing is achieved by means of nozzles.

7. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that it additionally comprises auxiliary zones, especially comprising a service zone for emergency operations, and a machine room in which are grouped the activating means for operating devices forming part of the assembly, and the command means of all the operating devices forming part of the assembly.

8. Installation according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the overhead traveller (2) comprises a hydraulic device formed by a frame (96) which is vertically displaceable with respect to a carriage (92) of the overhead traveller and has, at the end of columns (98), a support plate (100) on which is fixed a hydraulic jack (102) whose piston rod has at its lower free end a gripping member (72) adapted to cooperate with the gripping member of the module (18) and the frame (74) while a counter-plate (90) is fixed through columns on the frame (96) whereby to locate it in parallel with the support plate (100) between the latter and the grasping means, the jack (102) being connected to its pressurized fluid circuit, in such a manner that when the fluid is admitted into the cylinder of the jack, its piston is displaced upwards.

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