Robotic Equipment Cuts through the Hazards of Nuclear and Industrial Demolition
Demolition in hazardous environments such as nuclear power plants, industrial smokestacks, and chemical accident sites can be both a risky and complicated process. One of the safest methods developed to-date is the use of remote controlled robotic machinery. Robotic controlled demolition equipment allows operators to maintain a safe distance usually within a protected environment while demolishing the hazardous structure. This allows for a surgical demolition and removal of structures without contamination or damage to the surrounding environment.
Nuclear power plants are a particular challenge. All nuclear power plants have a finite lifespan. When a nuclear power plant must be shut down and cease operations it needs to be decommissioned. Decommissioning a nuclear plant involves safely removing or permanently encasing any material that is radioactive. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NCR) regulations decommissioning must be completed within 60 years of the plant terminating operations. The NRC has strict rules governing nuclear power plant decommissioning, involving cleanup of contaminated systems and structures and removal of the radioactive spent fuel. These requirements protect workers and the public during and after the decommissioning process.
If demolition of the facility is required in order to properly decommission the structure, robotic equipment must be capable of demolishing, removing, sorting, and containerizing radioactive waste so that it can be safely deactivated. To perform these tasks the equipment must be highly mobile and able to work in confined spaces with a variety of attachments depending on the stage of demolition. Equipment operators will need precise remote controls used in conjunction with video cameras to efficiently demolish and remove radioactive structures.
Some types of nuclear plant decommissioning involves maintaining and monitoring a nuclear plant or permanently encasing radioactive contaminants until the radioactivity decays and the plant is then safe to dismantle and demolish.
In the case of structures contaminated by chemical spills or hazardous waste, demolition involves a safety risk due to the release of toxins to the environment in the form of dust, smoke, or vapors. Robotic equipment allows for work in contaminated areas without endangering the health and safety of construction workers. For example, demolition in confined areas containing asbestos material which was often used as a form of insulation in older buildings is the perfect application for robotic demolition equipment. Demolition of structures for safety reasons after chemical spills or industrial accidents is another example where robotic equipment can be used to break, cut, crush, drill, scarify, shear or grapple material at the contaminated site without harm to the environment, workers or public health.
Robotic controlled equipment has both the versatility and proven capability to work in any industry where hazardous material or contaminated by-products need to be considered in the demolition process.
About the Author
Brokk Inc www.brokkinc.com manufactures robotic demolition equipment for the construction, nuclear, process, and cement industries for wide range of applications including decommission and decontamination of nuclear power facilities.
Equipements de Démolition – Demolition Equipment – Long reach
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Milwaukee 49-22-1129 12-Piece Ultimate Demolition Sawzall Blade Set $20.30 With twelve reciprocating saw blades for extreme cutting, and a handy storage pouch for easy access, this Sawzall blade kit gets you through that big remodel project with ease, and is great to have on hand for years of little jobs. The pouch rolls open for easy access to its five compartments. Extra thick blades (from .042 to .062 inches) won’t bend, warp, or distort under extreme cutting applicat… |
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Bare-Tool Makita BJR182Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only, No Battery) $238.00 Makita’s 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Reciprocating Saw delivers faster cutting and demolition performance to the jobsite. The BJR182Z has a high-torque motor with a 1-1/8-inch stroke that is engineered for a range of cutting and demolition tasks. The LXT Lithium-Ion Battery (sold separately) makes this reciprocating saw perfect for remote use, where running a cord is not an option..c26-caption {f… |
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ZipWall 4PL Plus Kit with Carry Bag, 4-Pack $229.95 0… |
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Test Flight $0.99 … |
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Targus XL Backpack Designed for 17 Inch Notebooks TXL617 (Black with Blue Accents) $48.17 Targus TXL617 17″ XL Notebook Backpack… |
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Matchbox Mega Rig Construction $23.99 You’ll get any job done with this powerful Wrecking Rig! Its pieces combine and re-combine, so you can build all kinds of construction equipment. Plus, you can transform it into a mega-high wrecking crane with a ball that really swings and makes a sound on impact. Include Matchbox man. Part of the Mega Rig system, and combines with any other Mega Rig Set (sold separately). Requires 3 “AG13″ batter… |
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Demolition $5.65 What’s even more exciting to preschoolers than seeing big machines that build things? Watching the massive ones that tear them down!Crush the stone. Crush the stone. Chip and grind and munch. Make new concrete from the old. Whirr! Churr! Crunch!From the huge crane with a swinging ball (crack! ) to the toothy jaws that ram the walls (thwock! ), this rambunctious demolition, reverberating with sound… |
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US Combat Engineer 1941-45 (Warrior) $10.86 At its peak in World War II (1939-1945), the United States Army contained over 700 engineer battalions, along with numerous independent brigades and regiments. The specialized soldiers of the Engineers were tasked with a wide variety of crucially important tasks including river bridging, camouflage, airfield construction, and water and petroleum supply. However, despite their important support rol… |
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Demolition Jersey $22.99 O’Neal Racing Demolition Jersey The harshest of conditions must be conquered during off-road racing. Complete changes in terrain, weather and riding conditions take their toll on you and your equipment in grueling events that can span up to 1,000 miles in a single race. There is no room to compromise. Put your trust in O’Neal. With 40 years of non-stop product development nobody does off-road racing better! Features: Made of 100% combed heavy weight cotton Graphics on chest and sleeve |
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Demolition $24.99 Demolition – Photographic Print |
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Youth Demolition Jersey $22.99 O’Neal Racing Youth Demolition Jersey The harshest of conditions must be conquered during off-road racing. Complete changes in terrain, weather and riding conditions take their toll on you and your equipment in grueling events that can span up to 1,000 miles in a single race. There is no room to compromise. Put your trust in O’Neal. With 40 years of non-stop product development nobody does off-road racing better! Features: Made of 100% combed heavy weight cotton Graphics on chest and sleeve |
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Subhumans – Demolition $19.99 Subhumans – Demolition – T-Shirt |
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Demolition Workers $24.99 Demolition Workers – Photographic Print |
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Demolition Site $24.99 Demolition Site – Photographic Print |
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Demolition Crew $24.99 Demolition Crew – Photographic Print |
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Demolition Man $19.99 Demolition Man – Poster |
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Street Demolition $24.99 Street Demolition – Photographic Print |
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The Demolition of Kings Cross $39.99 The Demolition of Kings Cross – Giclee Print |
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Demolition of a Ruining Building $69.99 Demolition of a Ruining Building – Photographic Print |