:: posted on May 15th, 2012 ::
Lancs Industries recently hosted six members of the ALARA Planning, Radiation Protection, Maintenance, RP Training and Weld team from the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) in Wintersburg, Arizona for a three day glovebag training and fabrication seminar at our Kirkland, Washington manufacturing facility. The session included two full days of custom glove bag design, fabrication, installation and use.
The Lancs and Palo Verde teams designed, fabricated and set up two piping mockups based on PVNGS’ actual facility layout. Maintenance scenarios were presented and worked through. Additionally, the two teams developed solutions to recent industry challenges in weld preparations of EPRI Level 3 Alpha components, designing a new containment targeting this area. The PVNGS team gained a renewed appreciation for the utility of glovebags in resolving challenging problems in contamination control.
“Kudos to the entire Lancs Team for their innovative approach, positive attitude and professional response to the needs of the Nuclear Industry.” ~ Scott Williams, RP Ops Section Leader, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
:: posted on April 25th, 2012 ::
Glovebag Training at Pine Bluff Arsenal
In February and March 2012, Lancs provided glovebag training at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas, facilitating work to remove ventilation ducting containing residual chemical agents. Staff members learned the fundamental work practices and then installed glovebags on a 22″ diameter ducting mockup and practiced cutting and removing the ducting. The contaminated ducting was then successfully removed using the glove bags in half the time originally scheduled, without the spread of any chemical agents. Plans are to use more glovebags in the future to complete preparations for demolishing the chemical facility.
Nuclear Grade Sheeting
Lancs supplies nuclear grade sheeting appropriate for any application. Our Polyvinylchloride (PVC), and Polyurethane (PU) and Polyethylene (PE) sheeting comes in standard unsupported sheet form as well as in reinforced laminate form for high abrasion resistance. Lancs also offers special lines of Mil-Spec sheeting along with full lines of F/R material tested and certified to NFPA 701.Contact your Lancs Sales rep for full test reports, material specification charts or any other questions you may have regarding our plastic sheeting.
:: posted on January 21st, 2012 ::
Lancs is pleased to offer training classes on radiological work practices and ALARA techniques at our plant in Kirkland, Washington, or at your facility. Two nuclear plants have recently scheduled training by Lancs personnel for their employees to assist with alpha contamination problems and glovebag use. Lancs teaches your staff key best practices in ALARA safety which translate into lower dose for workers, shorter outages and overall cost savings for your facility. Contact us today!
:: posted on December 13th, 2011 ::
Founded in 1998, BOP Filter/Barriers has manufactured the leading flexible high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) grade filter in contamination and particulate control applications for nuclear and pharmaceutical environments. Lancs has used these filters for over 10 years, and will continue BOP’s excellence in quality manufacturing in its Kirkland facility.
Lancs and its BOP Filters subsidiary manufacture flexible HEPA grade filters for use in contamination and particulate control applications. The filters are custom designed, and can be produced in various sizes and shapes. These flat and flexible panel filters can be welded or heat sealed by Lancs into polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyurethane (PU) plastic film. Our filters have been used in waste volume reduction, personnel protection, hazardous particle containment, environment control for purity of pharmaceutical reactions, containment of explosive environments (such as hydrogen generation during chemical reactions) and over-pressure protection in containment barriers. Applications also exist in biohazards and medical waste disposal, asbestos removal, “clean room” ventilation and equipment protection from hazardous environments.
We produce two standard sizes of filters: 1.5″ and 3.5″ in diameter, but can manufacture them in different sizes if required. Our filters are made to be welded into bags, sleeves or other barrier materials. The filter media function is the same regardless of the barrier material used.
BOP Filter/Barriers LLC was formed in 1998 to develop and market the technology of US Patent Number 5,720,789*. The technology was invented by Paul A. Pinson at the Idaho National Laboratory (“INL”) as a solution to a nuclear waste bag venting problem regarding the need to allow air and other gasses to vent from sealed waste bags while maintaining containment of the nuclear contamination. The patent was assigned to the Idaho National Laboratory General Contractor at that time, and BOP Filter/Barriers LLC was formed to develop and commercialize the technology. Mr. Pinson, as BOP Filter/ Barriers LLC’s founder and technical lead worked closely with Lancs over the subsequent years, and in December 2011 Lancs acquired the business including its worldwide exclusive license for the patent from Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, INL’s current general contractor. Mr. Pinson serves as an advisor to Lancs on matters related to filter products.
Check back soon for our new product page featuring Flexible HEPA Grade Filters.
*“Method for Contamination Control and Barrier Apparatus with Filter for Containing Waste Materials that Include Dangerous Particulate Matter”
:: posted on November 10th, 2011 ::
Installing a Glove in a Containment
1. Install rubber gloves (size 10 or 11 gloves are suggested) at locations indicated on the installation sheet.
2. Ensure proper orientation for working position.
3. Check the glove for pinholes by trapping air in the glove and squeezing.
4. Insert the end of the sleeve through the ring glove and fold the end of the sleeve over to cover the glove ring.
5. Tape the sleeve into the groove of the glove ring securely.
6. Insert the glove into the sleeve in the appropriate working position and fold the cuff of the glove over into the center groove of the glove ring.
7. Place the rubber ring (optional) over glove and sleeve and into the groove in the glove ring.
8. Apply tape over rubber ring. In place of a rubber ring, you can use a hose clamp, bungee cord, cable tie or Tygon tubing.
9. Check that glove is sealed by trapping air in sleeve and glove and squeezing.
Download a diagram of instructions here.
Next week: How to change out a glove that has a hole in it after the glove bag is contaminated.
