Implementing robotics in the Department of Energy Dismantlement Program

Conference · Wed Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:629325

Jones, A T

Since the end of the cold war, as our nuclear stockpile has decreased, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been working rapidly to safely dismantle weapons returned by the military. In order to be retired, weapons must be returned to the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. There they are reduced to their component parts. Although many of these parts are not hazardous, some, including certain explosive assemblies and radioactive materials, are sufficiently hazardous so that special handling systems are necessary. This paper will describe several of these systems developed by Sandia for Pantex and their technical basis.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Financial Management and Controller, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 629325
• Report Number(s): SAND-97-2856C; CONF-980514-; ON: DE98001261; TRN: 98:009823
• Resource Relation: Conference: WAC `98: world automation congress, Anchorage, AK (United States), 10-14 May 1998; Other Information: PBD: 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
ROBOTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
ARMS CONTROL
MATERIALS HANDLING
RADIATION HAZARDS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS DISMANTLEMENT
SAFETY