New robot technology is being used for the first time at the site of Paducah's former uranium enrichment facility.
Workers from Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership are using the robot to inspect pipes that were once part of the enrichment process. The technology is comparable to robots used to inspect municipal water pipes.
The robots use sodium iodide detectors and cameras to find uranium deposits left behind in the pipes and equipment.
According to Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership Program Manager Myrna Redfield, the process is safer and provides a unique perspective.
"Robotic technology gives our analysts a rare look inside process gas piping and equipment without having to cut or drill into the piping."
Site Manager for Paducah and Portsmouth, Ohio, Joel Bradburne said this is not the first time this type of robot has been used.
"A similar technology was used at our sister plant in Portsmouth, Ohio. Shared lessons learned from Portsmouth allowed us to enhance these capabilities for use at Paducah, utilizing best practices applications to the fullest."
It is believed the robot technology will be a critical part of the deactivation and remediation of the Paducah site, helping to determine safe ways to dispose of the piping.
(Kevin Fortner with EM Paducah Site cleanup contractor Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership sets up the robot pipe crawler to test its capabilities.)
