Peeling/removing device for surface layer of radiation-contaminated concrete by microwave irradiation

A microwave generator is made closer to a concrete surface as an object to be pulverized and peeled off and kept at a predetermined height by controlling a vertically moving mechanism. Then, waveguide tubes are controlled to determine the direction of microwave radiation and the distance between the top end of an electromagnet horn and the concrete surface. A microwave power from the microwave generator is radiated from the electromagnetic horn to the concrete surface. Then, the microwaves are penetrated to the inner side of the concretes and heat the water content in the concretes. With such a constitution, the steam pressure at the inner side of the concretes is elevated and thermal stress strains are caused between the heated portion and the peripheral portion thereof due to localized heating, to cause pulverization and peeling of the surface portion. The resultant broken pieces and powdery dusts are sucked under vacuum and, simultaneously, recovered and removed. This can prevent recontamination and reduce operators' radiation exposure dose. (T.M.)