ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) research in the DOE's (Department of Energy's) university program in robotics for advanced reactors
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
In present-day operating light water reactors (LWRs), it has been estimated that human radiation exposure costs approximately $5000 per person-rem. With increasingly strict federal regulation of occupational radiation exposure, it is likely that this figure will be much higher in the future. One method current LWR operators have begun to utilize to reduce occupational exposures is the use of robots. These robots usually have very limited capabilities, require a trained operator, and are designed to perform only one specific task. In many reactor concepts such as the power reactor inherently safe module (PRISM), the integral fast reactor (IFR), and the modular high-temperature gas reactor, the US Department of Energy (DOE) and reactor manufacturers recognized the need to incorporate extensive use of robotics in the performance of routine tasks. The DOE therefore provides support to four universities(the Universities of Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to pursue research leading to the development and deployment of advanced robotic systems capable of performing tasks that are hazardous to humans, that generate significant occupational radiation exposure, and whose execution times can be reduced if performed by an automated system. The goal of this program is to develop a generation of advanced robotic systems capable of economically performing surveillance, maintenance, and repair tasks in nuclear facilities and other hazardous environments.
- OSTI ID:
- 6125494
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-900608-; CODEN: TANSA; TRN: 91-008270
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA), Vol. 61; Conference: American Nuclear Society (ANS) annual meeting, Nashville, TN (USA), 10-14 Jun 1990; ISSN 0003-018X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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42 ENGINEERING
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RADIATION PROTECTION
PWR TYPE REACTORS
ROBOTS
COORDINATED RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ALARA
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
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RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
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REACTOR SAFETY
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NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
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US DOE
US ERDA
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WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
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420203 - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures
990200 - Mathematics & Computers