Apparatus for decontaminating radioactively contaminated surfaces

An apparatus for decontaminating a radioactively contaminated surface region located inside a pipe, connector or vessel being open on one end, with a dry mechanical blasting medium, comprising:

• a) a processing bell to be mounted on an open end of a pipe, connector or vessel having a radioactively contaminated surface region to be decontaminated;
• b) a manipulator disposed on said processing bell;
• c) a flexible duct mounted on said processing bell;
• d) a retaining device protruding into said processing bell, being sealed off from the outside in a dustproof manner and being movable from the outside by said flexible duct;
• e) said manipulator having a blasting head being disposed on said retaining device and being movable in the interior of the pipe, connector or vessel;
• f) a blasting system having a closed circulation of a dry mechanical blasting medium, being closed off from the outside in a dustproof manner and having a pressure tank for operating said blasting system with compressed gas;
• g) a pressure line connected between said blasting system and said blasting head;
• and
• h) a suction line connected between the interior of the pipe, connector or container and said blasting system.