Elios 3 Used to 3D Map Irradiated Storage Vault at DOE Site

Key Benefits in a Nutshell

Introduction

In the 1950s, the Department of Energy (DOE) partnered with the state of Idaho to store 4,400 cubic meters (14,436 cubic feet) of nuclear waste at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center. This waste, known as calcine, is a highly radioactive granular material derived from spent nuclear fuel. It was stored in six underground vaults, each containing specially designed bins for containment.

In 2015, as the DOE’s contract with Idaho neared renewal, the state decided to remove the waste. This meant the DOE had to find a new storage location and develop a safe method for retrieval. The challenge? The original blueprints of the vaults were incomplete, making it difficult to plan where to drill for the extraction process.

Customer Needs

The Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC) was tasked with planning the removal and transportation of the calcine. Their approach involved drilling holes into the top of the vaults, attaching pipes to the bins, and using a plasma cutter to access the waste. These pipes would then be used to suction out the material remotely, minimizing radiation exposure for workers.

However, without accurate maps of the vault interiors, the IEC struggled to determine where to place the extraction points. Initial attempts to use a handheld LiDAR sensor resulted in incomplete 3D models due to limited mobility.

Solution

To address this issue, the IEC explored multiple methods, including robotic arms, helium blimps, and drones. After evaluating five options based on technical risk, project complexity, budget, and vendor support, they chose Flyability’s Elios 3 drone equipped with a LiDAR sensor.

The Elios 3 offered the flexibility and precision needed to navigate the confined space and collect high-quality data. The IEC built a life-sized vault replica for training and mission planning, ensuring the team was fully prepared for the real thing.

Watch the training highlights:

Results

On the day of the mission, the IEC faced extreme temperature changes—from -11°C (12°F) outside to over 38°C (100°F) inside the vault. Despite these conditions, the Elios 3 performed flawlessly, collecting all necessary LiDAR data in just one seven-minute flight.

A second flight was conducted to gather additional data, both of which were successful. The resulting 3D models were so precise that they allowed the IEC to proceed with planning the waste removal process.

Here are the key benefits the IEC gained from using the Elios 3:

• Best Tool for the Job: After thorough evaluation, the IEC selected the Elios 3 as the most suitable solution for their needs.
• Detailed 3D Mapping: The drone provided the level of detail required for safe and efficient waste extraction.
• Speed: The entire data collection was completed in just seven minutes after over a year of preparation.
• Access: The Elios 3 could easily fit through the hatch and navigate the tight space.
• Ease of Use: Despite harsh conditions, the drone operated smoothly and reliably.

During a third test flight, the drone became stuck on a bin but successfully transmitted a high radiation reading before its battery died. Experts confirmed that the drone posed no safety risks.

Conclusion

With the successful mapping of the vault, the IEC is now ready to begin planning the actual removal of the calcine. All six vaults will need to be emptied, a task that will take months of further planning and will likely start in mid-2023.

The success of the Elios 3 has made it a valuable tool for future projects involving remote 3D mapping in challenging environments. The IEC and the DOE plan to use it again as other confined-space mapping needs arise.

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