FR3092668A3 - DEVICE FOR CONTROL OF SURFACIC CONTAMINATION OF MATERIALS WHICH HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO PERSISTENT CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for controlling surface contamination of materials that have potentially been exposed to persistent chemicals. The invention relates to a device making it possible to generate at low cost the conditions for sampling and detecting low-volatile toxic substances potentially present on equipment, and to confine these same objects as long as this contamination is feared. It consists of an isothermal enclosure provided inside with an exchanger supplied from the outside by a flow of hot fluid, for example water vapor, via hoses sealingly passing through the wall of the enclosure using cable glands. This exchanger is surmounted by one or more grids supporting the objects to be checked by subjecting them to a flow of hot air. A temperature probe allows the user to control the temperature to which the equipment is exposed by injecting or not the fluid. The invention includes a port for sampling the internal atmosphere of the isothermal enclosure which allows the user to sample air from the enclosure for immediate detection or delayed analysis, depending on the level of detection. research. It may include a plate fitted with a perimeter seal which can be positioned at different heights in order to confine the materials in a minimum volume and consequently increase the capacity for detecting pollutants. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the control of sensitive equipment leaving a contaminated zone following an accident or a malicious act involving persistent toxic substances.

Description

Device to control the surface contamination of materials that have been potentially exposed to persistent chemical substances.

As part of a civil security intervention in an area contaminated by a persistent chemical agent (following an accident or a malicious act), high-value or sensitive equipment will be used (detectors, portable medical monitoring devices , armament, etc.). On leaving the zone, although the probability of actual contamination of these materials is highly variable, it is necessary to know their actual contamination in order either to direct them to an appropriate decontamination channel, or to put them back into service in their assigned unit. , or finally to reject them if it is a control after several ineffective decontaminations.

The present invention aims to generate the conditions for sampling and detection of low-volatility toxic substances potentially present on these materials with a low-cost device, in order to allow its wide distribution to specialized first responders.

• Par frottis, avec analyse du frottis en laboratoire ou par un appareil portatif de détection (par exemple l’AP4C^TMde Proengin^TM, après prélèvement à la raclette S4PE^TM),
• Par contrôle d’émission de substances dans une enceinte close à température maîtrisée (contrôle atmosphérique indirect).

In order to control the surface contamination of objects, the state of the art mainly includes the following methods:

• By smear, with analysis of the smear in the laboratory or by a portable detection device (for example the AP4C ^TM from Proengin ^TM , after sampling with the S4PE ^TM squeegee),
• By controlling the emission of substances in a closed enclosure at a controlled temperature (indirect atmospheric control).

• La réalisation du frottis présente un rendement d’extraction imparfait et de répétabilité imparfaite d’un opérateur à l’autre (ceci est particulièrement vrai dans le cas de surfaces non planes et complexes, comme c’est souvent le cas pour ce genre de matériels).
• C’est un prélèvement partiel qui peut difficilement, voire ne peut pas, concerner la totalité de la surface à contrôler.

The smear sampling method is economical but it has two major drawbacks:

• The production of the smear presents an imperfect extraction yield and imperfect repeatability from one operator to another (this is particularly true in the case of non-flat and complex surfaces, as is often the case for this type of material). ).
• It is a partial sampling which can hardly, or even cannot, concern the entire surface to be checked.

There is therefore a non-zero residual probability of declaring the object clean even though it contains very localized traces of contamination (false negative), which can generate a danger for the subsequent unprotected user.

Indirect atmospheric control is a method that makes it possible to treat the entire surface of the object without knowing a priori the place of contamination, by bringing the entire object to a sufficient temperature (typically 40 to 50°C ) to cause the evaporation of traces of toxic liquid, even in the case of substances which are not very volatile at room temperature, such as VX. After holding it at a sufficiently long temperature, taking a sample followed by its analysis using appropriate techniques (such as thermal desorption associated with a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry coupling) makes it possible to detect minute traces and therefore to ensure the cleanliness of a device before it is put back into service.

The existing means for ensuring this temperature maintenance, of the oven type, are essentially fixed means for use in the laboratory but above all relatively expensive. We therefore require that they be reusable, which implies that they can be decontaminated in order to allow a return to a clean state before carrying out the next inspection. This characteristic, which is not a basic characteristic for an oven, makes the product even more specific and therefore expensive.

• Le dispositif ne porte pas la fonction de chauffage (coûteuse) mais est interfacé à un appareil mutualisé avec tous les dispositifs utilisés en parallèle sur une opération,
• L’appareil mutualisé de chauffage est un générateur de fluide chaud, par exemple de vapeur d’eau, afin de disposer de suffisamment d’énergie pour couvrir les situations climatiques opérationnelles les plus exigeantes. Toujours dans une logique de maîtrise des coûts, un simple nettoyeur vapeur ménager, de type Karcher SC4 Easy Fix^TMou équivalent, pourra être utilisé pour mettre en œuvre l’invention.
• Afin de ne pas modifier la composition de l’atmosphère autour de l’objet à contrôler, de ne pas perdre de substances ni d’en injecter, le dispositif est étanche et l’énergie de chauffage est transmise via un radiateur interne à l’enceinte et alimenté par le générateur de fluide chaud (par exemple de vapeur d’eau). Les traversées de parois de l’entrée et de la sortie du radiateur sont réalisées de manière étanche.
• Le dispositif sert à maintenir l’ambiance à une température supérieure à la température de consigne (par exemple entre 40°C et 50°C) mais ne dispose pas de dispositif de régulation. Pour ce faire, l’enveloppe du dispositif est réalisée avec des parois isothermes afin d’obtenir une inertie thermique suffisante. L’opérateur assure la surveillance de la température afin d’activer le chauffage si nécessaire.
• Le dispositif est muni d’un port d’échantillonnage qui permet :
  • Une détection immédiate, via des tubes colorimétriques (Tubes Dräger^TMou équivalent), afin de réaliser un premier tri entre les objets assurément contaminés (à diriger vers la décontamination) et ceux probablement non contaminés (à maintenir en quarantaine),
  • Un prélèvement sur tube d’échantillonnage (Tubes ATD Markes^TMou équivalent) en vue d’une analyse :
    • Sur site, via un laboratoire mobile disposant des moyens analytiques nécessaires,
    • Déportée en laboratoire d’analyse compétent sur les types de produits recherchés, pour obtenir la sensibilité maximale.

In order to obtain a device with minimized cost, the following architectural choices were made:

• The device does not carry the heating function (expensive) but is interfaced to a shared device with all the devices used in parallel on an operation,
• The pooled heating device is a generator of hot fluid, for example steam, in order to have sufficient energy to cover the most demanding operational climatic situations. Still with a view to controlling costs, a simple household steam cleaner, of the Karcher SC4 Easy Fix ^TM type or equivalent, can be used to implement the invention.
• In order not to modify the composition of the atmosphere around the object to be controlled, not to lose substances or to inject them, the device is sealed and the heating energy is transmitted via an internal radiator to the enclosure and powered by the hot fluid generator (for example steam). The crossings of the walls of the inlet and the outlet of the radiator are made in a sealed manner.
• The device is used to maintain the environment at a temperature above the set temperature (for example between 40°C and 50°C) but does not have a regulation device. To do this, the envelope of the device is made with isothermal walls in order to obtain sufficient thermal inertia. The operator monitors the temperature in order to activate the heating if necessary.
• The device is equipped with a sampling port that allows:
  • Immediate detection, via colorimetric tubes (Dräger ^TM tubes or equivalent), in order to carry out an initial sorting between definitely contaminated objects (to be directed to decontamination) and those probably not contaminated (to be kept in quarantine),
  • A sampling tube (ATD Markes ^TM tubes or equivalent) for analysis:
    • On site, via a mobile laboratory with the necessary analytical means,
    • Deported to a competent analysis laboratory on the types of products sought, to obtain maximum sensitivity.

• D’un conteneur ou enceinte isotherme (1) dont le volume intérieur est suffisant pour contenir les éléments ci-après et les objets à contrôler (16), mais qui est cependant minimisé afin d’obtenir la meilleure performance de détection (pour une contamination, une température et un temps de séjour donnés, une masse de polluant va être évaporée. Plus faible sera le volume de contrôle, plus élevée sera la concentration en polluant dans l’enceinte, et donc meilleure sera la détection). L’emploi d’un conteneur à ouverture latérale (voir les différents modes de réalisation ci-après) permet, grâce à une plaque (19) munie d’un joint périmétrique positionnée dans les rainures prévues pour accueillir les grilles de stockage, de faire varier le volume utile du conteneur et donc de minimiser celui-ci en fonction du volume des objets contrôlés, conformément à la règle d’optimisation précédente.
• D’un échangeur statique (2) (fonctionnant en condenseur de vapeur d’eau), relié par des durites (3) et (4) à l’extérieur du conteneur (1). Afin de maintenir l’étanchéité du conteneur (1), ces durites traversent la paroi du conteneur (1) via deux presse-étoupes (5) et (6), adaptés à l’épaisseur de la paroi du conteneur. L’échangeur (2) est positionné horizontalement à plat dans le fond du conteneur (1), sur deux supports (7) et (8). Ces supports permettent de minimiser les pertes par conduction entre l’échangeur (2) et le conteneur (1) et de favoriser la convection naturelle à l’intérieur de conteneur grâce à la distance séparant l’échangeur (2) et le fond du conteneur (1).
• En partie basse du conteneur (1), une grille (17) est positionnée à proximité de l’échangeur. Elle est destinée à maintenir les objets à contrôler (16). Suivant le mode de réalisation (voir ci-après), il est possible d’étager plusieurs grilles afin de multiplier le nombre de matériels contrôlés simultanément. Il va de soi que le regroupement de matériels obère toute possibilité de discrimination ultérieure afin d’identifier le ou les matériel(s) du lot qui sont contaminés. Ce regroupement relève donc d’un choix opérationnel, arbitrant la balance entre le rendement de contrôle (nombre de matériels contrôlés simultanément) et les conséquences de la non-discrimination du lot (le lot complet suivra la filière de décontamination ou mise au rebut).
• Sur la même face du conteneur que les deux presse-étoupes (5) et (6), se trouve un moyen de mesure de la température (9) intérieure du conteneur. Il permet à l’opérateur de contrôler que la température interne du conteneur est supérieure ou égale à la température de consigne. La sonde du moyen de mesure de température (9) devra être positionnée à une hauteur proche de la grille (17) (la grille la plus basse en cas de multiplicité de grilles) et à proximité de la paroi afin d’identifier une mise en température complète du conteneur.

The device consists of:

• An isothermal container or enclosure (1) whose internal volume is sufficient to contain the following elements and the objects to be checked (16), but which is however minimized in order to obtain the best detection performance (for contamination , a given temperature and residence time, a mass of pollutant will be evaporated. The lower the control volume, the higher the concentration of pollutant in the chamber, and therefore the better the detection). The use of a container with side opening (see the various embodiments below) makes it possible, thanks to a plate (19) fitted with a perimeter seal positioned in the grooves provided to accommodate the storage grids, to vary the useful volume of the container and therefore minimize it according to the volume of the controlled objects, in accordance with the previous optimization rule.
• A static exchanger (2) (operating as a water vapor condenser), connected by hoses (3) and (4) to the outside of the container (1). In order to maintain the tightness of the container (1), these hoses pass through the wall of the container (1) via two cable glands (5) and (6), adapted to the thickness of the wall of the container. The exchanger (2) is positioned horizontally flat in the bottom of the container (1), on two supports (7) and (8). These supports make it possible to minimize losses by conduction between the exchanger (2) and the container (1) and to promote natural convection inside the container thanks to the distance separating the exchanger (2) and the bottom of the container (1).
• In the lower part of the container (1), a grid (17) is positioned close to the exchanger. It is intended to hold the objects to be checked (16). Depending on the embodiment (see below), it is possible to stagger several grids in order to multiply the number of items of equipment controlled simultaneously. It goes without saying that the grouping of materials hinders any possibility of subsequent discrimination in order to identify the material(s) of the batch which are contaminated. This grouping is therefore an operational choice, arbitrating the balance between control performance (number of materials controlled simultaneously) and the consequences of non-discrimination of the batch (the complete batch will follow the decontamination or disposal channel).
• On the same face of the container as the two cable glands (5) and (6), there is a means of measuring the temperature (9) inside the container. It allows the operator to check that the internal temperature of the container is greater than or equal to the setpoint temperature. The probe of the temperature measuring means (9) must be positioned at a height close to the grid (17) (the lowest grid in the event of a multiplicity of grids) and close to the wall in order to identify a setting. full container temperature.

• Création d’un panache chaud au-dessus de l’échangeur (2) mettant en mouvement l’air vers la paroi supérieure du conteneur,
• Lorsque l’air chaud du panache atteint la paroi supérieure, transfert horizontal de celui-ci sur l’ensemble de la paroi supérieure,
• Descente de l’air chaud le long des parois latérales du conteneur (poussé par le débit du panache au-dessus de l’échangeur (2)) jusqu’à homogénéiser la température dans le conteneur.

Indeed, the heating by natural convection of the container will include the following main phases:

• Creation of a hot plume above the exchanger (2) moving the air towards the upper wall of the container,
• When the hot air from the plume reaches the upper wall, horizontal transfer of it over the entire upper wall,
• Descent of hot air along the side walls of the container (pushed by the flow of the plume above the exchanger (2)) until the temperature in the container is homogenized.

• Utilisation d’un thermomètre bimétallique à cadran, associé à un doigt de gant. Le doigt de gant est positionné dans l’espace intérieur du conteneur via un presse-étoupe qui assure l’étanchéité de l’enveloppe. Le thermomètre à cadran peut ainsi être monté et démonté à souhait sans porter atteinte à l’étanchéité.
• Utilisation d’un thermocouple, par exemple de type K, connecté à un thermomètre numérique. La sonde thermocouple sera également positionnée dans le conteneur via un presse-étoupe et connectée au thermomètre via un câble amovible, mis en place uniquement durant les phases de contrôle. L’emploi d’un thermomètre numérique permet de bénéficier de fonctions utiles telles que l’enregistrement des données de température ou d’alarmes de niveaux hauts et bas facilitant la tâche de l’opérateur en charge du maintien en température.

Several temperature measurement technologies are possible; in all cases, the assembly must preserve the tightness of the crossing of the container wall (1). There are two preferred technologies in particular:

• Use of a bimetallic dial thermometer, combined with a thimble. The thimble is positioned in the interior space of the container via a stuffing box which seals the envelope. The dial thermometer can thus be assembled and disassembled as desired without compromising the seal.
• Use of a thermocouple, for example type K, connected to a digital thermometer. The thermocouple probe will also be positioned in the container via a cable gland and connected to the thermometer via a removable cable, installed only during the inspection phases. The use of a digital thermometer makes it possible to benefit from useful functions such as the recording of temperature data or high and low level alarms, facilitating the task of the operator in charge of maintaining the temperature.

• Sur la même face du conteneur que les deux presse-étoupes (5) et (6), préférentiellement, se trouve également un port de prélèvement de gaz (10), constitué d’un tube souple (11) (par exemple en Tygon TM) de diamètre interne 6,35 mm afin de s’interfacer avec les tubes colorimétriques et les tubes d’échantillonnage, d’un presse-étoupe (12) et d’un dispositif d’obturation réversible (13). Ce dernier doit être en position close lors des phases de maintien en température et de quarantaine, et en position ouverte lors des phases de détection et de prélèvement. Ce port d’échantillonnage pourra utilement être protégé contre les chocs mécaniques et les risques d’ouverture intempestive (en phase de quarantaine notamment) par un coffret (24) solidaire de la face externe du conteneur (1). Ce coffret sera utilement muni d’une paroi transparente permettant de visualiser l’état du dispositif d’obturation (13).
• Sur cette même face, préférentiellement, se trouve une soupape de sécurité (25), tarée à une faible pression (par exemple 30 à 40 mbar relatifs), liée de manière étanche au conteneur (1). Cette soupape permet, en cas de chauffage excessif, d’évacuer la surpression avant de mettre en péril l’intégrité du conteneur (1). Afin qu’en cas de déclenchement de la soupape il n’y ait pas d’émission de substances polluantes à l’atmosphère, une cartouche filtrante chargée en charbon actif (26) est connectée à la soupape (25).
• A la durite (4) d’évacuation des condensats, un tube souple (14) est connecté afin de diriger les condensats vers un récipient de collecte (15). Ce dernier doit être mis à l’air libre lors du chauffage afin d’évacuer l’air initial puis la vapeur et l’eau chaude condensée.
• Le générateur de vapeur (20) est connecté à l’échangeur (2) via la durite (3).

The device also consists of the following elements:

• On the same face of the container as the two cable glands (5) and (6), preferably, there is also a gas sampling port (10), consisting of a flexible tube (11) (for example in Tygon TM ) with an internal diameter of 6.35 mm in order to interface with the colorimetric tubes and the sampling tubes, a cable gland (12) and a reversible closure device (13). The latter must be in the closed position during the temperature maintenance and quarantine phases, and in the open position during the detection and sampling phases. This sampling port can usefully be protected against mechanical shocks and the risk of untimely opening (particularly in the quarantine phase) by a box (24) secured to the outer face of the container (1). This box will usefully be provided with a transparent wall making it possible to visualize the state of the closure device (13).
• On this same face, preferably, there is a safety valve (25), calibrated at a low pressure (for example 30 to 40 relative mbar), tightly connected to the container (1). This valve makes it possible, in the event of excessive heating, to evacuate the overpressure before jeopardizing the integrity of the container (1). So that in the event of triggering of the valve there is no emission of polluting substances into the atmosphere, a filter cartridge loaded with activated carbon (26) is connected to the valve (25).
• To the condensate evacuation hose (4), a flexible tube (14) is connected in order to direct the condensates towards a collection container (15). The latter must be exposed to the open air during heating in order to evacuate the initial air and then the steam and condensed hot water.
• The steam generator (20) is connected to the exchanger (2) via the hose (3).

Figure 1 shows the cross-sectional view of a first embodiment, based on the use of a top-opening insulated container with a bimetallic dial thermometer.

FIG. 2 presents the front view of the device, illustrating the various connection and measurement interfaces, as well as the ancillary devices such as the steam generator and the condensate collection means, for the first example embodiment.

Figure 3 shows the sectional view of a second embodiment, based on the use of an isothermal container with side opening, in a configuration with several levels of positioning of the materials checked and with use of a probe thermometer K-type.

FIG. 4 presents the front view of the device, illustrating the various connection and measurement interfaces for the second example embodiment.

In a first embodiment, an isothermal container with top opening, with an internal volume of between 35 and 40 liters (expanded polyethylene 30 mm thick), is equipped with a static exchanger in aluminum comprising a main tube of outer diameter 12 mm, length between 200 and 300 cm, and fins deployed over an area of approximately 1200 cm². By using a 1250 W steam generator, the internal temperature is raised above 40°C in less than 1 minute with the generator running for less than 30 seconds (i.e. less than 50 g of water used). A new heating phase is carried out at regular intervals, between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the external conditions. A single steam generator containing more than 1 liter of water therefore makes it possible, without replenishment, to easily heat several containers. It is equipped with a bimetallic thermometer (9).

In a second embodiment, an insulated container (1) with side opening is used, with an internal volume of 140 liters consisting of rotomolded polyethylene walls filled with a polyurethane foam, the assembly having a thickness of between 6 and 9 cm . This configuration has the advantages of better airtightness and better thermal insulation. The use of a plate (19) provided with a perimeter seal positioned in the grooves provided to accommodate the storage grids makes it easy, depending on the volume and the number of objects to be checked, to reduce the useful volume of the container. to about 70 litres, 90 liters or 115 litres. It is equipped with a static steel heat exchanger comprising a main tube with an external diameter of 8 mm, length and width between 250 and 300 cm, and fins offering a deployed surface of between 1 and 1.5 m². The temperature measurement is performed by a digital thermometer (Testo 925 ™ or equivalent) (23) connected to a type K ambient air probe (9). This probe can be disconnected at the end of the cable gland (22). The container is equipped with several grids (17) (21) to support the materials to be checked (16).

For a volume of 90 liters, after maintaining for one hour at more than 40°C, the use of colorimetric detection tubes Draeger ™ reference CH25803 dedicated to thioethers allows immediate detection of mustard gas contamination of the order of 100 μg (drop of the order of 1 mm in diameter).

• Préparation initiale :

1. Mise en chauffe du générateur de vapeur (20)
2. Ouverture du conteneur isotherme (1)
3. Positionnement de la plaque (19) à la hauteur souhaitée et de la ou des grilles (17, 21)
4. Fermeture du conteneur isotherme (1)
5. Ouverture du dispositif (13) d’obturation du tuyau souple (11), (afin d’éviter la montée en pression du conteneur lors du préchauffage)
6. Connexion du conteneur au récipient (15), de collecte des condensats via le tube souple (14) raccordé à la durite (4)
7. Mise en place du thermomètre (sonde (9) et thermomètre numérique (23))

• Préchauffage du conteneur :

1. Injection de vapeur dans l’échangeur (2) via la durite (3) jusqu’à une température T0 supérieure à la température de consigne Tc,
2. Fermeture du dispositif (13) d’obturation du tuyau souple (11),

• Chauffage confiné du (des) objet(s) à contrôler :

1. Ouverture du conteneur (1),
2. Mise en place sur la (les) grille(s) (17, 21) du / des objet(s) à contrôler (16)
3. Fermeture du conteneur (1),
4. Injection de vapeur dans l’échangeur (2) via la durite (3) jusqu’à une température T1 inférieure à la température de consigne Tc,
5. Montée en température du conteneur jusqu’à Tmax > Tc du fait des échanges thermiques internes au conteneur,
6. Déclenchement du chronomètre,
7. Lorsque la température atteint une valeur Tmin > Tc, injection de vapeur jusqu’à atteindre la température T1,
8. Renouvellement des opérations jusqu’à obtenir une durée de confinement suffisante,

• Prélèvement / détection :

1. Connexion du tube de détection ou de prélèvement au tuyau souple (11),
2. Ouverture du dispositif (13) d’obturation du tuyau souple (11),
3. Réalisation du prélèvement,
4. Fermeture du dispositif (13) d’obturation du tuyau souple (11),
5. Renouvellement des opérations (r) à (v) pour prélèvement complémentaire (redondance ou technologie d’analyse complémentaire)

• Maintien confiné du / des objet(s) à contrôler (16) dans l’attente du résultat du contrôle et de la décision opérationnelle.

The sequential implementation is as follows:

• Initial preparation:

1. Heating up the steam generator (20)
2. Opening the insulated container (1)
3. Positioning of the plate (19) at the desired height and of the grid(s) (17, 21)
4. Isothermal container closure (1)
5. Opening of the device (13) for closing the flexible pipe (11), (in order to avoid the pressure build-up of the container during preheating)
6. Connection of the container to the container (15), condensate collection via the flexible tube (14) connected to the hose (4)
7. Placing the thermometer (probe (9) and digital thermometer (23))

• Container preheating:

1. Injection of steam into the exchanger (2) via the hose (3) up to a temperature T0 above the set temperature Tc,
2. Closure of the device (13) for closing the flexible pipe (11),

• Confined heating of the object(s) to be controlled:

1. Opening the container (1),
2. Placing on the grid(s) (17, 21) of the object(s) to be checked (16)
3. Closing the container (1),
4. Injection of steam into the exchanger (2) via the hose (3) up to a temperature T1 lower than the set temperature Tc,
5. Container temperature rise up to Tmax > Tc due to internal heat exchanges in the container,
6. Start of the stopwatch,
7. When the temperature reaches a value Tmin > Tc, injection of steam until the temperature T1 is reached,
8. Renewal of operations until a sufficient confinement period is obtained,

• Sampling / detection:

1. Connection of the detection or sampling tube to the flexible pipe (11),
2. Opening of the device (13) for closing the flexible pipe (11),
3. Sampling,
4. Closure of the device (13) for closing the flexible pipe (11),
5. Renewal of operations (r) to (v) for additional sampling (redundancy or additional analysis technology)

• Confined maintenance of the object(s) to be checked (16) pending the result of the check and the operational decision.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the control of sensitive materials leaving a contaminated zone following an accident or a malicious act involving persistent toxic substances.

Claims (6)

Device for controlling the surface chemical contamination of various materials, characterized in that it comprises an isothermal enclosure (1) provided inside with a static exchanger (2) fed from the outside by a flow of hot fluid via hoses (3) and (4) passing through the wall of the enclosure (1) in a sealed manner by means of cable glands (5) and (6) and surmounted by one or more grids (17) supporting the objects to be checked (16 ) by subjecting them to a stream of hot air. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hot fluid used to increase the internal temperature of the container (1) is steam, Device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a temperature probe (9) measuring the ambient temperature close to the lower grid (17) and close to the wall of the isothermal enclosure (1) , passing through the wall of the enclosure (1) in a sealed manner by means of a cable gland (22), and indicating to the user the temperature to which the materials are exposed. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sampling port (10) of the internal atmosphere of the isothermal enclosure (1) consisting of a tube having one end close to the grid (17) below and close to the wall of the isothermal enclosure (1) and the other outside the enclosure (1), which can be opened or closed thanks to the closing device (13) and crossing sealingly the wall of the enclosure (1) through a cable gland (12). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plate (19) provided with a perimeter seal can be positioned at different heights by constituting a sealed confinement zone of variable volume. Method of implementing the device comprising the following ordered phases:

1. Initial configuration including adjustment of the confinement volume by positioning the plate (19),
2. Preheating the empty container,
3. Confined heating of the object(s) (16) to be controlled,
4. Carrying out sampling operations for immediate detection and/or deferred analysis,
5. Confined maintenance of the object(s) to be checked (16) pending the result of the check and the operational decision.

FIG.1

FIG.2

FIG.3

FIG.4