2011年5月15日星期日

Mitsubishi radiation-proof forklift designed to clean up Japan

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has developed two heavy-duty forklifts with radiation shielded cabins which have been designed to handle and dispose of contaminated rubble at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

The first of the two units were delivered last week to a joint venture formed by Taisei Corporation, Kajima Corporation and Shimizu Corporation, the companies handling the clean up at the site.

Mitsubishi says the second unit will be delivered later this month.

The forklifts, which were reportedly developed and manufactured within one month, features vehicle systems, filtering, heavy plate welding, and radiation shielding and management. The new units are based on the company's 15-tonne heavy-duty forklift.

According to Mitsubishi, the new forklifts have been designed to allow workers to handle rubble while providing a safer environment for machine operators working in areas exposed to radiation.

The company says the first radiation shielded cabin forklift contains a fully-sealed cabin constructed using 100mm thick steel plates and 230mm thick lead glass.

It comes with special filters that is said to remove dust and other radiation-contaminated material to provide a stable supply of purified air, and the air-conditioned cabin is also pressurised by air purifier to prevent external air from entering.

The company says each forklift measures 7.3m x 2.5m x 3.9m, weighs 30t, and has a load capacity of 9,000 kilograms, and will be supplied with various attachments including hinged forks, bucket, box clamp and pivoting fork.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is the parent company of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks.

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, based in Houston, Texas.

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