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Pipe Explorer[TM] Surveying System

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Tech ID: 74
Project Overview
The Pipe Explorer system is used to characterize radiological contamination inside piping systems before the pipe can be recycled, remediated, or disposed. The Pipe Explorer can be deployed through constrictions in the pipe, around 90° bends, vertically up and down, and in slippery conditions. Because the detector is transported inside the membrane, which is inexpensive and disposable, it is protected from contamination, which eliminates cross-contamination and false readings. Characterization sensors that have been demonstrated with the system thus far include: gamma detectors, beta detectors, video cameras, and pipe locators. Alpha measurement capability has been developed and will be demonstrated soon. The system is capable of deploying in pipes as small as 2-in. diameter and up to 250-ft long.

Technology Description
 The Pipe Explorer system, developed by Science and Engineering Associates, Inc. (SEA), under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Morgantown Energy Technology Center, has been used to transport various characterizing sensors into piping systems that have been radiologically contaminated. DOE's nuclear facility decommissioning program must characterize radiological contamination inside piping systems before the pipe can be recycled, remediated, or disposed. Historically, this has been attempted using hand-held survey instrumentation, surveying only the accessible exterior portions of pipe systems. Various measuring difficulties, and in some cases, the inability to measure threshold surface contamination values and worker exposure, and physical access constraints have limited the effectiveness of traditional survey approaches. The Pipe Explorer system provides a viable alternative. The heart of the system is an air-tight membrane, which is initially spooled inside a canister. The end of the membrane protrudes out of the canister and attaches to the pipe being inspected. The other end of the tubular membrane is attached to the tether and characterization tools. When the canister is pressurized, the membrane inverts and deploys inside the pipe. The characterization detector and its cabling is attached to the tethered end of the membrane. As the membrane is deployed into the pipe, the detector and its cabling is towed into the pipe inside the protective membrane; measurements are taken from within the protective membrane. Once the survey measurements are completed, the process is reversed to retrieve the characterization tools. The Pipe Explorer can be deployed through constrictions in the pipe, around 90° bends, vertically up and down, and in slippery conditions. Because the detector is transported inside the membrane, which is inexpensive and disposable, it is protected from contamination, which eliminates cross-contamination and false readings. Characterization sensors that have been demonstrated with the system thus far include: gamma detectors, beta detectors, video cameras, and pipe locators. Alpha measurement capability has been developed and will be demonstrated soon. The system is capable of deploying in pipes as small as 2-in. diameter and up to 250-ft long.

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