Gamma-ray and surface organic results of the robotic survey of Pit 9 at INEL
- Science Applications International Corp., Pleasanton, CA (United States)
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
The Buried Waste Robotics Program demonstrated and evaluated robotic techniques to non-invasively characterize a representative radiological burial area at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (ML). Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) contributed a large, NaI gamma-ray detector system and a photo-ionization organics detector to this program. This Program mounted multiple geophysics, nucleonic, and chemical sensor systems on the Solder Robot Interface Program (SRIP) remotely operated vehicle. These sensors simultaneously collected radiological waste-site, surface characterization data on Pit 9 radiological burial area, and the Cold Test Pit (CTP), off-site control area. LLNL sensors found no radiological waste at the CTP control area, however, we easily detected the natural thorium series, the potassium radionuclides and trace worldwide fallout cesium. Earlier manual measurements indicated no significant data error invoked by the vehicle on our gamma-ray and organic sensor systems. Thick soil overburden at the Subsurface Disposal Area (SDA), Pit 9, permitted radiological, but no isotopic determinations. A flood of scattered photons from the buried waste allows a surface, spatial radiological dose assessment. We found no evidence of surface-evolving organics, sensitive to photo-ionization detection. The observed signals can safely guide a remediation excavation. The vehicle-supported multiple measurements enhanced the data collection efficiency. Data provided site-surface characterization, quickly and safely in potentially hazardous areas. However, a large, buried-waste site will require subsurface access for detailed characterization.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6469482
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-ID-108524; ON: DE93013103
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
REMOTE HANDLING
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
GAMMA DETECTION
IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
PHOTOIONIZATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
REMEDIAL ACTION
ROBOTS
SURFACES
DETECTION
IONIZATION
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RADIATION DETECTION
STORAGE
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
540230* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
420203 - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures
440101 - Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage