How you can use the Elios 3 RAD

Key Benefits at a Glance

 

What is the Elios 3 RAD?

The Elios 3 RAD is a powerful tool combining our modular Elios 3 drone with a radiation detection sensor. It enables efficient radiation inspection workflows in challenging environments.

Launched in 2022, the Elios 3 is designed specifically for confined space inspections. Whether it's inside a pipe or an unknown cave area, the drone’s protective cage and collision-resistant flight algorithm make it ideal for navigating tight and dangerous spaces. Its innovative design protects the propellers while ensuring stability during collisions. These features make the Elios 3 perfect for operations beyond the line of sight or in enclosed spaces where human access is risky.

The Elios 3 RAD is a game-changer for improving safety and accelerating operations related to radiation detection.

In 2023, the Elios 3 expanded its modular payload options to include the RAD sensor, short for radiation detection. Developed by Mirion Technologies, this specialized sensor is a leader in detecting and measuring radioactive materials.

The Elios 3 RAD can detect and measure radioactive material found in nuclear power plants, decommissioning projects, and other contaminated sites. Using drones for nuclear inspections offers several key advantages:

1. Enhanced Safety
   1. Drones can enter hazardous zones first, assessing radiation levels before human workers arrive. This helps in planning safe operations and reducing exposure risks.
   2. They can monitor real-time changes in radiation levels, allowing teams to respond quickly and make informed decisions.
2. Improved Data Collection
   1. The Elios 3 RAD gathers detailed radiation data from hard-to-reach areas, providing insights that traditional sensors may miss.
   2. It collects visual, volumetric, and radiological data, supporting the creation of 3D models and comprehensive radiological surveys.
3. Better Access
   1. Drones can inspect assets in locations that are difficult or impossible for humans to reach, such as high places or confined spaces.
   2. The Elios 3 can navigate through small openings (as small as 50x50 cm) to inspect internal structures like pipes.

The RAD sensor used in the Elios 3 RAD is the RDS32-WR, developed by Mirion Technologies. As global leaders in radiation detection, they ensure accurate and reliable data collection for inspections worldwide.

How Can You Use the Elios 3 RAD for Radioactive Material Operations?

The Elios 3 RAD has diverse applications, from inspecting nuclear power plants to aiding in nuclear decommissioning. Here are three key use cases:

Radioactive Waste Warehouse Management

Managing radioactive waste is a complex task requiring long-term storage solutions. In some cases, the Elios 3 has created 3D models inside radioactive environments without sending people in. In others, waste is stored in sealed barrels, often lined with cement, and monitored regularly to ensure containment integrity.

Using the Elios 3 RAD for warehouse inspections is ideal. It can fly inside and gather radiation level data. The "ALARA" principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) guides these operations, ensuring minimal human exposure to radiation.

This turbine deck was scanned using the Elios 3 RAD, showing the drone’s ability to navigate around the entire asset.

With the Elios 3 RAD, a database of readings can be built to monitor radiation level changes over time. This helps in planning maintenance and responding quickly if a storage area becomes compromised. Overall, it reduces human exposure and improves safety in managing radioactive waste.

Site Scans for Radioactive Contamination, Including Powerplants

A simple drone inspection of a nuclear power plant can save up to $500,000. With the Elios 3 RAD, pre-scans can be conducted before human entry to assess radiation levels and perform visual inspections.

For example, if there's a potential breach in a radioactive waste-carrying pipe, the Elios 3 RAD can quickly assess the area, create a radiation map, and identify the breach location and radiation level. If exposed to radiation, the drone can remain in place, with only battery changes and data retrieval required—ensuring safe operation without spreading contamination.

Such case studies could occur at nuclear power plants or decommissioning sites, offering improved safety and more data from hard-to-reach areas.

Underground Radioactive Material Storage

Another application involves underground storage of nuclear waste, where waste is buried deep to minimize human contact. Some areas are sealed, while others require regular monitoring, such as the Department of Energy site in the U.S., where concrete wall maintenance is needed.

This scan of a turbine deck with the Elios 3 RAD shows clear variations in radiation levels across the area.

The Elios 3 RAD can enter these spaces for visual inspections and radiation surveys, helping teams plan maintenance and reduce on-site time. It also ensures that radiation levels are closely monitored, confirming the stability of stored waste and detecting any leaks early.

Radioactive waste includes items like nuclear powerplant equipment, spent fuel rods, and even radioactive cement. Managing this material safely and efficiently is made easier with the Elios 3 RAD.

The Future of Drone Inspections in Nuclear Environments

The use of drones for radiation management marks a significant step forward in enhancing safety within a complex industry. The Elios 3 with the RAD payload can be used in both nuclear power plants and long-term waste management, where materials remain radioactive for thousands of years.

As many European countries move to phase out nuclear energy, the need to handle and inspect leftover waste will grow. At the same time, the importance of inspecting current nuclear power plants remains critical.

With advancing technology, the Elios 3 RAD offers a new way to collect data from previously inaccessible areas while improving safety. It represents a major advancement in the power generation and waste management sectors.

Explore more about the Elios 3 RAD and how it can transform your operations today.

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