Light duty utility arm deployment in Hanford tank T-106

Abstract

An existing gap in the technology for the remediation of underground waste storage tanks has now been filled by the Light Duty Utility Arm (LDUA) System. On September 27 and 30,1996, the LDUA System was deployed in underground storage tank T-106 at Hanford. The system performed successfully, satisfying all objectives of the in-tank operational test (hot test); performing close-up video inspection of features of tank dome, risers, and wall; and grasping and repositioning in-tank debris. The successful completion of hot testing at Hanford means that areas of tank structure and waste surface that were previously inaccessible are now within reach of remote tools for inspection, waste analysis, and small-scale retrieval. The LDUA System has become a new addition to the arsenal of technologies being applied to solve tank waste remediation challenges. demonstrating a prototype system in a laboratory environment. The production of a fielddeployed system that is ready for continuous operation required a significant effort that included: The LDUA program is a development effort that has gone far beyond simply e Environmental hardening of the equipment (outdoor exposure and in-tank hazards: radiation, corrosive chemicals, flammable gas, etc.). Providing the infiastructure to support the deployment (people, procedures, training, and equipment, etc.). Obtaining the approval to deploy (design pedigree, configuration documentation, safety documentation, environmental documentation, and satisfying the elaborate readiness review process). A teaming relationship between the developers and end users was established from the outset and has been a key factor in the successful deployment and transfer of LDUA technology. A teaming relationship was also established among multiple U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites and national laboratories to share expertise and to apply common solutions to common site needs. A partnership between developers, end users, and industry has applied commercial expertise guided by specific knowledge of site requirements and restrictions in delivering state-of-the-art systems. This successful teaming arrangement has resulted in significant cost and schedule savings and is a model for future technology development programs.