Radiological Scouting, Monitoring and Inspection Using Drones

Abstract

Human populations and natural ecosystems are bound to be exposed to ionizing radiation from the deposition of artificial radionuclides resulting from nuclear accidents, nuclear devices or radiological dispersive devices (“dirty bombs”). On the other hand, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material industries such as phosphate production or uranium mining, contribute to the on site storage of residuals with enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides. Therefore, in the context of the European agreements concerning nuclear energy, namely the European Atomic Energy Community Treaty, monitoring is an essential feature of the environmental radiological surveillance. In this work, we obtain 3D maps from outdoor scenarios, and complete such maps with measured radiation levels and with its radionuclide signature. In such scenarios, we face challenges such as unknown and rough terrain, limited number of sampled locations and the need for different sensors and therefore different tasks. We propose a radiological solution for scouting, monitoring and inspecting an area of interest, using a fleet of drones and a controlling ground station. First, we scout an area with a Light Detection and Ranging sensor onboard a drone to accurately 3D-map the area. Then, we monitor that area with a Geiger–Müller Counter at a low-vertical distance from the ground to produce a radiological (heat)map that is overlaid on the 3D map of the scenario. Next, we identify the hotspots of radiation, and inspect them in detail using a drone by landing on them, to reveal its radionuclide signature using a Cadmium–Zinc–Telluride detector. We present the algorithms used to implement such tasks both at the ground station and on the drones. The three mission phases were validated using actual experiments in three different outdoor scenarios. We conclude that drones can not only perform the mission efficiently, but in general they are faster and as reliable as personnel on the ground.

Drone-Based Non-Destructive Inspection of Industrial Sites: A Review and Case Studies

“…In this treaty, each state has committed to continuously monitor radioactivity in air, water, and soil, to ensure compliance with the standards. Pinto et al proposed a drone-based solution for scouting, monitoring, and inspecting of a targeted region [114]. They explained that drones could be an effective alternative solution to conventional approaches for generating comprehensive and reliable radiological 3D maps using the data acquired by a drone in an outdoor environment.…”

“…They explained that drones could be an effective alternative solution to conventional approaches for generating comprehensive and reliable radiological 3D maps using the data acquired by a drone in an outdoor environment. Moreover, they automatically identified hotspots and characterized radionuclides' signatures [114]. In this study, firstly, a 3D representation of the area of interest was constructed using a LiDAR sensor installed on a drone.…”

Gamma ray detection performance of newly developed MAPD-3NM-II photosensor with LaBr3(Ce) crystal

“…The use of drones in these areas makes it possible to reduce the risk to human life, to control the situation very quickly and accurately 1 . Drones are now commonly being used for environmental radiation monitoring and radiological mapping following a nuclear or radiological emergency, such as at Fukushima in Japan and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine 4 – 8 . The main requirements on radiation monitoring devices used in drone technology are low power consumption, light mass, humidity resistance, resistance to vibration and shock, and so on 8 .…”

Gamma ray detection performance of newly developed MAPD-3NM-II photosensor with LaBr3(Ce) crystal

“…Recently, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has been used widely in different fields from the army to security [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] . The use of drones in these areas makes it possible to reduce the risk to human life, to control the situation very quickly and accurately 1 .…”

“…The use of drones in these areas makes it possible to reduce the risk to human life, to control the situation very quickly and accurately 1 . Drones are now commonly being used for environmental radiation monitoring and radiological mapping following a nuclear or radiological emergency, such as at Fukushima in Japan and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine [4][5][6][7][8] . The main requirements on radiation monitoring devices used in drone technology are low power consumption, light mass, humidity resistance, resistance to vibration and shock, and so on 8 .…”