Mobilization of existing robotic and teleoperated mobile vehicles to mitigate the consequences of radiological emergencies; a TMI-2 reality and a Chernobyl scenario
The consequences of radiological emergencies associated with recent accidents at nuclear power plants have been well publicized - 7 yr ago on March 28, 1979, at Three Mile Island unit No. 2 (TMI-2) in Middletown, Pennsylvania, and more recently on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl nuclear power station unit No. 4 in the Ukraine, USSR. Estimates of released radiation from both of these plants ranged from <20,000 Ci at TMI-2 to 100,000,000 Ci at Chernobyl. Unfortunately, there were few, if any, facilities, infrastructures, and specialized equipment located near the accidents that could assist in remotely mitigating the consequences associated with the accidents. The remote assistance that could have been offered by robotic and teleoperator-controlled mobile vehicles would have minimized the radiation exposures to personnel who would be assisting in restoring the damaged facilities, evacuating the affected personnel, and removing the contaminated material and equipment. There are, however, considerable numbers of existing equipment and off-the-shelf technologies that could be mobilized and employed immediately within days after a Chernobyl-type accident. Examples of missions and tasks that these mobilized remotely controlled mobile vehicles could be assigned to are listed.
- OSTI ID:
- 6951833
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-861102-
- Journal Information:
- Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 53; ISSN TANSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
ASIA
CLEANING
COMMUNICATIONS
CONTROL
DECONTAMINATION
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EASTERN EUROPE
EMERGENCY PLANS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
EQUIPMENT
EUROPE
EVACUATION
FIRE FIGHTING
INSPECTION
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION PROTECTION
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
REMOTE CONTROL
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
REMOTE VIEWING EQUIPMENT
ROBOTS
SURVEILLANCE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL REACTORS
THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR
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USSR
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WATER COOLED REACTORS
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