AIKEN, S.C. - EM is using robotic technology to perform remote radiological repairs to its Savannah River Site (SRS) liquid waste facilities.
AREVA, a subcontractor to EM liquid waste contractor Savannah River Remediation (SRR), determined two robots were right for the job of fixing a leak: a robotic arm and base, attached as a unit.
In February 2016, EM shut down one of two evaporators in the SRS liquid waste system after a leak was detected in its vessel. The evaporators minimize dilute liquid waste in SRS tanks, creating space for more waste.
The leaked material was contained in a radiological controlled area inside the stainless steel-lined concrete evaporator cell. EM employed remote technology because the vessel is in a radiological area off limits to humans.
Following the shutdown, experts examined the evaporator, adding water to see where it would leak from the vessel. EM tested the robots in mock vessels. Late last year, workers deployed them in the evaporator, which is about 26 feet tall and 14 feet in diameter with a 10,000-gallon operating volume.
The robotic combination was equipped with tools to determine the location and size of the leak. The duo cut through the stainless-steel lagging, or membrane, and two-inch thick insulation covering the evaporator vessel to access the vessel’s exterior.
The robotic base moved around the cell floor as the arm held and maneuvered cutting tools. The arm deployed a camera inside the cell to pinpoint three leak sites in one area. It held an ultrasonic probe for measuring the thickness of the vessel walls surrounding the leak sites.
Findings from the robot work will help engineers plan the evaporator repairs.
DOE-Savannah River Assistant Manager for Waste Disposition Jim Folk said this technology provided a safe, effective solution to perform necessary radiological work.
SRR President and Project Manager Tom Foster said the specialized work performed by the robotic combination was essential not only to the evaporator work but also overall liquid waste operations.
“The team has done an exceptional job of deploying remote robotic technologies to diagnose the evaporator leak sites," Foster said.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
