MULTI-SENSOR INSPECTION AND ROBOTING SYSTEMS FOR DRY STORAGE CASKS: THERMAL CONSTRAINTS
Open Access
Author:
Scharsig, Jan-Christopher Christopher
Area of Honors:
Mechanical Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Sean N Brennan, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Sean N Brennan, Thesis Honors Advisor Stephen P Lynch, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
NEUP Nuclear Robot Cask Nuclear Cask Thermal Cooling System
Abstract:
A team of researchers led by Penn State, in conjunction with the Department of Energy, are designing a semi-autonomous robot to confirm the integrity of dry storage casks due potential modes of degradation, such as environmentally assisted cracking and concrete deterioration. This thesis focuses on the thermal constraints of the multisensory robot while inside the cask, as temperatures as high as 350°F (177°C) have been predicted within operational casks, which challenge the performance of some robotic equipment and sensors. During inspection, numerous measurements will be taken to provide insight on the internal condition of the cask, which require a variety of sensor systems with different temperature and radiation restrictions.
This thesis presets results from thermal modeling and experimental measurements to forecast the conditions inside the canister, to ensure the sensors and robotic equipment can survive the thermal environment. To improve the thermal resistance of the robot, the internal robot cavity has been designed optimized to pass air through the body and provide cooling to any sensors at risk of exceeding their recommended restrictions. The work in this thesis also provides insight into understanding the thermal constraints on the materials used in the robot and the design of the cooling system to prevent the sensor package from overheating.
