Automated ILW Drum Scanning Using Robotic Manipulators

该博士项目将对集成微型伽马能谱仪的开发和优化进行详细调查，该仪器用作机器人臂安装的辐射扫描系统的一部分。该项目还将研究使用激光和辐射硬重合激光轮廓系统来绘制目标物体或场景的地形图。该项目的目的是进行基础研究和应用研究，以实现先进的自动化能力，绘制中等水平核废物包装外表面的辐射能量和强度（和剂量），从而绘制一张能够表明所含高放射性材料（如靠近包装壁的燃料携带或包壳部分）存在的地图。同时，该系统还将生成包装表面的数字地形模型，突出显示内部材料腐蚀相关的膨胀/膨胀可能产生的任何变形。该项目将利用已经安装在UoB的Kuka机器人臂系统，利用Fenswood Farm研究基地，在机器人安全外壳内可以进行激光和放射性工作。

The PhD project will conduct a detailed investigation into the development and optimisation of integrated micro-sized gamma spectrometry instrumentation for use as part of a robot arm mounted radiation scanning system. The project will also investigate the use of miniaturised and radiation hard coincident laser profiling systems to topographically map target objects or scenes. The aim of the project is to conduct fundamental and applied research towards an advanced automated ability to map the radiation energy and intensity (and dose) on the external surfaces of Intermediate Level Nuclear Waste (ILW) packages and thereby produce a map which can indicate the presence of contained highly radioactive material e.g. fuel carry-over or cladding sections, close to the package walls. Simultaneously the system will also produce a digital topographic model of the package surfaces highlighting any distortions that may have arisen from corrosion related swelling/expansion of materials inside.The project will make use of Kuka Robotic Arm systems already housed at the UoB, utilising the Fenswood Farm research site where laser and radioactive work can be undertaking inside a robot safety enclosure.