This activity will be based on completing the Phase I effort for
developing a multi-year OCRWM Science and Technology Plan for Robotics
and Remote Handling (R/RH). The multi-year plan will concentrate
on technologies that have the potential to enhance the efficiency
of surface and subsurface operations, for remotely handling spent
nuclear fuel (SNF) at the proposed Yucca Mountain Repository.
The Phase I effort includes the following tasks:
Review the relevant Yucca Mountain Project (YMP) documents, assess
the existing R/RH designs for surface and subsurface operations,
and interact with the YMP and M&O project staff responsible
for remote handling operations. This task requires interfacing with
experts at the Idaho National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory,
in robotics, remote systems, and sensors to determine the current
and intended baseline approaches and to identify the technologies
necessary to complete the baseline designs. This task is the foundation
from which technology improvements to the baseline will be identified
and analyzed for efficiency improvements.
Surface Operations - Investigate SNF acceptance, un-packaging,
sorting and storage, repackaging, inspection, etc., and identify
or recommend technologies, design modifications, or other changes
based on improving operating efficiencies, remote maintainability,
and ALARA.
Subsurface Operations - Investigate SNF waste packages after it
they have been repackaged and transferred from the surface facility,
and identify or recommend technologies, design modifications, or
other changes based on improving operating efficiencies, remote
maintainability, and ALARA.
Develop a list of potential R/RH advanced technology opportunities.
This task is based on the output generated from the above tasks.
It also generates specific project definitions for each of the advanced
technology opportunities as they become sufficiently defined to
support the specific project descriptions.
Develop a preliminary (combined) surface and subsurface, multi-year
advanced R/RH program that supports improved efficiencies for cask
handling, cask and drift inspections, data collection, incident
recovery, surveillance and inspection, etc. This task includes visiting
the University Robotics Program Research (URPR) member universities
to discuss specific applications for their proposed technologies
potentially applicable as future YMP enhancements and to define
specific projects that could be funded by the OCRWM Science and
Technology Program to achieve those goals.
Disseminate a draft plan for surface and subsurface R/RH opportunities
for review and comment. The draft plan will be distributed for review
and comment.
Participate in an OCRWM-sponsored workshop to compile and define
a prioritized list of R/RH opportunities. This task is to assist
the OCRWM Science and Technology Program in organizing a workshop
that summarizes the Phase I effort, resolve technology issues and
establish the list of opportunity projects, develop cost and schedule,
and project future applicability as enhancements to YMP.
Document the results of the Phase I R/RH opportunities effort based
on workshop input and develop a plan for implementing those results
in a proposed Phase II program.
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