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

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

    Key Benefits at a Glance

    Best Tool for the Job

    After extensive research, the IEC, under contract with the DOE, chose the Elios 3 as the ideal solution for 3D mapping an underground nuclear waste storage vault built in the 1960s.

    Detailed 3D Mapping

    The Elios 3 generated a high-resolution 3D map of the vault, offering the precision needed for safe and effective nuclear waste extraction planning.

    Speed

    In just seven minutes, the IEC collected all the LiDAR data required for a complete 3D model—marking the end of over a year of preparation and research.

    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 radioactive granular material derived from spent nuclear fuel.

    The calcine was stored in six underground vaults, each containing specially designed bins. By 2015, the DOE’s contract with Idaho was up for renewal, and the state decided to remove the waste. This meant the DOE had to find a new storage location and a safe method for its retrieval.

    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 vault's top, welding pipes to the bins, and using a plasma cutter to access the material. These pipes would then be used to pneumatically extract the waste remotely, minimizing radiation exposure for workers.

    However, the existing blueprints of the vaults lacked the detail needed to accurately plan where to drill. The IEC tried using a handheld LiDAR sensor but faced data gaps due to limited mobility. This highlighted the need for a more efficient and comprehensive mapping solution.

    Solution

    To address this challenge, the IEC evaluated multiple methods, including an articulating arm, a helium blimp, and drone-based solutions. After thorough analysis based on criteria like technical risk, budget, and project schedule, they selected Flyability’s Elios 3.

    The Elios 3, equipped with a LiDAR sensor, offered the flexibility and accuracy needed for the mission. The IEC also created a life-sized vault replica for training and testing. Pilots practiced extensively, and mission details were meticulously planned with stakeholders.

    Watch a video of the training process:

    Results

    On the day of the mission, temperatures ranged from -11°C (12°F) outside to over 38°C (100°F) inside the vault. Despite these conditions, the Elios 3 performed flawlessly during its first flight, collecting all necessary LiDAR data in just seven minutes.

    A second flight was conducted to gather additional data, which proved successful. The resulting 3D models were detailed enough to support the IEC’s extraction planning. The team even tested a third flight with a heavier payload, though the drone became stuck on a bin, recording a maximum radiation reading of 7 Gy/h before the battery died.

    Experts confirmed that the drone posed no risk to safety or the integrity of the vault.

    Conclusion

    With the vault now fully mapped, the IEC is ready to proceed with the calcine removal plan. All six vaults will eventually be emptied, a process expected to begin in mid-2023 after further planning.

    Given the success of the Elios 3, the IEC and DOE plan to use it again for future remote mapping tasks in confined spaces. Its performance has proven it to be an essential tool in nuclear waste management and beyond.

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