Filtration cell

1,026,447. Shielding containers. COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE. Nov. 6, 1964 [Nov. 15, 1963], No. 45404/64. Heading B4Q. [Also in Division B1] A filtration cell (Fig. 1), particularly for filtration of gases containing radio-active material, comprises a two-part container 2, 4 in which a filter element 22 is secured by a latching device 24, which consists of balls 42 radially movable in holes through sleeve 38 to engage in groove 46 of extension 34 of the filter element, the balls being able to move outwards to decouple element 22 from part 4 of the container when operating member 48, 50, 58, urged downwards by a spring 52, is pushed upwards by cylindrical extension 58 engaging part of a transfer can (Fig. 2, not shown) for receiving a contaminated filter element. In Fig. 1, the elenent 22, of sintered stainless steel, is coupled to part 4, but the width of groove 46 permits some vertical movement, and spring 62 urges inlet nozzle 26 of the element into sealing contact with gas supply nozzle 14. To change element 22, valves on inlet and outlet pipes 12, 16 are closed and the cell flushed with clean gas and reduced to atmospheric pressure. Twopart clamping collar 6 is released and part 4 with element 22 lifted and subsequently lowered into shielded transfer can (64), (66) (Fig. 2). With plate (74) of the can lowered element 22 is released, when extension 58 is raised by contact with step (70), and falls on to plate (74). Part 4 is lifted and lowered into another can, containing a new filter element 22 on a plate (74) locked in its raised position (Fig. 3, not shown). Extension 34 of the element then enters the sleeve 38, and subsequent lifting of part 4 permits relative downward movement of extension 58 and forces balls 42 inwards to lock on the new element.