Three Dimensional Scanning for Three Dimensional Scanning for Decommissioning Decommissioning Project planningProject planning

UNTF Conference 2010UNTF Conference 2010Lancaster UniversityLancaster University

- Paul S Cornish -- Paul S Cornish -

Background to ResearchBackground to Research

● The nuclear Industry is The nuclear Industry is going through a going through a renaissancerenaissance

● New Stations are under New Stations are under constructionconstruction

● While the older stations While the older stations approach the end of their approach the end of their useful livesuseful lives

● Decommissioning Decommissioning provides exciting provides exciting opportunities for research opportunities for research and developmentand development

What does my research involve?What does my research involve?

● The research involves the creation of a system that takes 3D scans from scanner in a radiation environment for the purpose of planning decommissioning projects.

ObjectivesObjectives

● The scans produce point clouds which are 3D representations of an objects.

● Each point in the cloud is an XYZ coordinate.

● The objective is to take the point clouds and reconstruct them in the computer aided design package Solidworks, with information on radioactive sources.

● So what does a point cloud look like???

Here's an exampleHere's an example

What needs to be scanned?What needs to be scanned?

● One of the environments that needs to be scanned is called a Cave, what is a Cave?

● A Cave is a place where High Level Waste (HLW) is handled for the purpose of disposal, also such Caves can be used for experimentation.

● Naturally the HLW will emit significant levels of Gamma Radiation that prevents Human access for the purpose of survey.

● Inside the Cave is a complex environment of pipes and various components.

● Here's a couple of good cases...

The CaveThe Cave

Getting the scanner to the objectsGetting the scanner to the objects

● In the case of the cave the scanner will be taken to objects and structures with a remotely operated arm.

● The scanner will orientated by this arm into various positions.

● The scans from these positions will be combined together to form a complete 3D picture.

The Research challenge The Research challenge (The exciting and fun part!)(The exciting and fun part!)

● The development of software that will extract the objects three dimensional definition from its point cloud.

● Elimination of unwanted points to save processing time while retaining critical points that define the objects shape.

● Use of artificial intelligence in design to create an efficient piece of software

Also...Also...

● There will be areas that the remote manipulator arm will not be able to reach with the scanner...

● Radiation fluences may exist that could damage the delicate electronics of the scanner...

● Some pipes and components in the room will stand in the way of other objects thus hiding these objects from scans...

● These are some of the many and exciting challenges that lie ahead...

ReferencesReferences

● http://www.ornl.gov

● http://www.faro.com

● http://www.corbisimages.com

● http://pearl1.lanl.gov

● http://www.magnoxnorthsites.com

● http://www.magnoxsouthsites.com● http://www.3ddigitalcorp.com

ANY QUESTIONS???ANY QUESTIONS???

● All research work is financed by and for the use of the All research work is financed by and for the use of the National Nuclear Laboratory National Nuclear Laboratory

● Research supervisor – Dr Steven MonkResearch supervisor – Dr Steven Monk