Robotic arm material characterisation using LIBS and Raman in a nuclear hot cell decommissioning environment

Area of Science:

• Nuclear engineering
• Analytical chemistry
• Robotics

Background:

• Material characterization is crucial for nuclear decommissioning.
• Remote operation in hot cells presents significant challenges for analytical techniques.
• Existing methods may lack the flexibility or adaptability for evolving decommissioning needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy in a nuclear hot cell environment.
• To develop and test robotic-compatible instrumentation for remote material analysis.
• To inform waste operation decision-making through real-time spectral data acquisition and analysis.

Main Methods:

• Design and construction of instrument adapters and probes for robotic arm manipulation.
• Remote operation of LIBS and Raman spectroscopy using a PaR M3000 robotic arm in a simulated hot cell.
• Testing of contact LIBS, contact Raman, and stand-off Raman configurations.
• Data acquisition, analysis, classification, and presentation in a 3D virtual environment.

Main Results:

• Successful remote operation and live data return from COTS LIBS and Raman instruments.
• Demonstrated potential of LIBS for contamination identification (e.g., beryllium).
• Identified limitations of the current instrumentation and measurement processes.
• Spectral data was successfully analyzed and visualized in a 3D environment.

Conclusions:

• COTS LIBS and Raman spectroscopy show significant potential for application in nuclear decommissioning.
• Robotic deployment enables safe and effective remote material characterization in hot cells.
• Improvements in hardware, measurement processes, and data management are recommended for future implementation.