Abstract
This study addresses the optimization of the location of a radioactive-particle sensor on a drone. Based on the analysis of the physical process and of the boundary conditions introduced in the model, computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to analyze how the turbulence caused by drone propellers may influence the response of the sensors. Our initial focus was the detection of a small amount of radioactivity, such as that associated with a release of medical waste. Drones equipped with selective low-cost sensors could be quickly sent to dangerous areas that first responders might not have access to and be able to assess the level of danger in a few seconds, providing details about the source terms to Radiological-Nuclear (RN) advisors and decision-makers. Our ultimate application is the simulation of complex scenarios where fluid-dynamic instabilities are combined with elevated levels of radioactivity, as was the case during the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents. In similar circumstances, accurate mapping of the radioactive plume would provide invaluable input-data for the mathematical models that can predict the dispersion of radioactivity in time and space. This information could be used as input for predictive models and decision support systems (DSS) to get a full situational awareness. In particular, these models may be used either to guide the safe intervention of first responders or the later need to evacuate affected regions.
Highlights
The use of drones has increased dramatically over the past two decades, introducing a real paradigm shift in sectors as diverse as the military, medical, commercial, and entertainment
After completing the main set-up and before running the simulations, the last step was required: the virtual drone prototype and the releasing sphere had to be positioned inside the reference domain
The startup position setup was the following: the drone was at 250 m from the origin along the Y-axis, midway on the X-axis (25 m) and at a height of 10 m on the Z-axis, while the releasing sphere was at 15 m from the origin on the Y axis, same position of the drone on the X-axis and suspended at a height of 5 m on the Z-axis
Summary
The use of drones has increased dramatically over the past two decades, introducing a real paradigm shift in sectors as diverse as the military, medical, commercial, and entertainment. Controlled via a base-station or even a smartphone app, they can reach the most remote, hostile or otherwise inaccessible areas, requiring minimum amounts of time/effort and power. An emerging application is monitoring complex radiological/nuclear scenarios such as the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident, with a combined large release of heat and nuclear radiation. Accurate mapping of the radioactive plume during the accident would have provided invaluable input-data for the mathematical models that can predict the dispersion of radioactivity in time and space. Since drones are inevitably equipped with point-wise radiation sensors, acquiring high-resolution maps requires close proximity to the source term. On the other hand, launching drones above a heat source causing severe turbulence
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