Abstract
Dramatic cost savings, safety improvements and accelerated nuclear decommissioning are all possible through the application of robotic solutions. Remotely-controlled systems with modern sensing capabilities, actuators and cutting tools have the potential for use in extremely hazardous environments, but operation in facilities used for handling radioactive material presents complex challenges for electronic components. We present a methodology and results obtained from testing in a radiation cell in which we demonstrate the operation of a robotic arm controlled using modern electronics exposed at 10 Gy/h to simulate radioactive conditions in the most hazardous nuclear waste handling facilities.
Highlights
The nuclear industry in the UK and worldwide increasingly seeks cost-effective methods to implement remote technologies to enable decommissioning of legacy waste treatment and handling facilities to reduce residual hazard, a practice highly recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (Iqbal et al, 2012)
Robotic systems containing electronic components are likely to suffer some form of damage causing altered functionality when exposed to radiation, and the effect will be related to the exposure dose
This paper proposes a systematic methodology to assess the performance of an industrial robot consisting of the following steps: 1. Identification of the critical positions in the robotic arm containing components potentially susceptible to radiation exposure
Summary
The nuclear industry in the UK and worldwide increasingly seeks cost-effective methods to implement remote technologies to enable decommissioning of legacy waste treatment and handling facilities to reduce residual hazard, a practice highly recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (Iqbal et al, 2012). Remote operations are required in legacy nuclear facilities for the purposes of inspection, characterization, cutting, dismantling, sorting, and segregating hazardous waste prior to the demolition of buildings. Often an understanding of the nature and distribution of these types of hazards is required before decommissioning can take place, and so providing this improved situational awareness, and the ability to carry out tasks remotely is where new robotic technology can offer benefits to the industry. Many facilities at the end of their useful life were built in the 1950s and 60s, based on simple but effective technology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
