DOE OSTI2017
The Nuclear and Applied Robotics Group (NRG) at the University of Texas at Austin is leading a team of university, industry, and national lab partners to develop and deploy a mobile manipulation and survey system for the H-Canyon Air Exhaust (CAEX) tunnels. Since the 1950's, these tunnels have connected Savannah River's nuclear chemical separations facilities to a terminus of sand filters. The tunnel must be periodically inspected. The conditions are harsh: 30+ mph air flow, acid vapors, alpha contamination, high beta and gamma dose, uneven floor surfaces, small entry port, obstacle debris, 'muddy' paths, standing water, and overhead obstacles. Since 2003, 5 crawlers have been deployed to inspect the tunnel with sufficient but limited success. Thus, H-Canyon provides an opportunity to develop and deploy a more robust system adhering to the notion of Multi-user / Multi-use (Mu2) in which a system is developed to complete a particular mission, but designed to maximize its extended use (multiple missions, locations, operators, etc.). Previous deployments provide a set of experiences upon which to learn and build. The environment is challenging and representative of other envisioned scenarios across the national nuclear complex. This paper reviews the history of system deployment into H-Canyon, the lessons learned from these experiences and then derives the requirements that will drive a 3 year effort to develop and deploy a system for H-Canyon inspection and other missions. The paper then concludes with a summary of technologies that enable a path to a functional prototype based on the current conceptual solution. This examination of available technologies and remaining technological gaps can assist the client in assessing the risk associated with proposed development and the range of application possible with a delivered functional prototype. (authors)
61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗