Robotic technologies for decommissioning nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities
摘要
Safe and efficient decommissioning of nuclear facilities represents an important strategic task. It requires a unified approach to developing and implementing innovative technologies, including robotic complexes, as well as systems for big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
AimTo conduct an analysis and propose a set of standard technologies, equipment, methods, and approaches independent of reactor design and operating characteristics for developing a standard technology for serial decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
Materials and methodsThe present paper considers the methodology for the development of a unified line of domestic robotic systems (RS) for standardized operations used in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. A set of tasks forming the requirements for a unified line of RS is defined; limiting factors, process features, and requirements to RS are established.
ResultsAs applied to decommissioning and handling radioactive waste from nuclear facilities, such robots can perform a quality examination of facilities, limit the spread of contamination, perform remote operations with high accuracy, and reduce the impact of human factors. Contemporary domestic software and hardware solutions increase the resilience of robotic systems to external impacts and their ability to work in the face of constraints, e.g. increased radiation background, tight and difficult-to-reach places.
ConclusionA unified line of RS will increase the safety of completing a known set of repeatable tasks during the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, reduce the labor and dose costs of personnel, accelerate the transition to robotic systems, and implement the strategy for scientific and technical development of the Russian Federation. The methodology for the development of robotic solutions in complex tasks, such as handling of in-vessel devices of VVER and graphite stack of RBMK reactors, as well as the results of analyzing these solutions, will be presented in the article “Specialized robotic technologies for high-activity equipment and waste handling in nuclear facilities decommissioning”.