Development of robotics technology for remote characterization and remediationof buried waste

Conference · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7038780

Noakes, M W; Richardson, B S; Burks, B L ^[1]; Sandness, G R ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Battelle Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)

Detection, characterization, and excavation of buried objects and materials are important steps in the restoration of subsurface disposal sites. The US Department of Energy (DOE), through its Buried Waste Robotics Program, is developing a Remote Characterization System (RCS) to address the needs of remote subsurface characterization and, in a joint program with the US Army, is developing a teleoperated excavator. Development of the RCS is based on recent DOE remote characterization testing and demonstrations performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. The RCS, which will be developed and refined over a two- to three-year period, is designed to (1) increase safety by removing on-site personnel from hazardous areas, (2) remotely acquire real-time data from multiple sensors, (3) increase cost-effectiveness and productivity by partial automation of the data collection process and by gathering and evaluating data from multiple sensors in real time, and (4) reduce costs for other waste-related development programs through joint development efforts and reusable standardized subsystems. For retrieval of characterized waste, the Small Emplacement Excavator, an existing US Army backhoe that is being converted to teleoperated control, will be used to demonstrate the feasibility of retrofitting commercial equipment for high-performance remote operations.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7038780
• Report Number(s): CONF-9207102-60; ON: DE92019945
• Resource Relation: Conference: Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) annual meeting, Orlando, FL (United States), 19-22 Jul 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT
PERFORMANCE TESTING
EXPLOSIVES
EXCAVATION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
AUTOMATION
RADIATION HAZARDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
ROBOTS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
VEHICLES
EQUIPMENT
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
TESTING
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
420203* - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures