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Gamma Locator Device (GLD) The Gamma-Locator Device (GLD) was designed by NIKIMT in Russia to provide remote gamma ray measurements during clean-up of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. The Russian GLD is mounted on a radio-controlled robot (Irobot ATRV-Jr). Rather than using humans to enter a contaminated facility for the first time when hazards are not well know, the robot caries the GLD, untethered, into the contaminated area. The GLD detects and transmits gamma ray readings using radio communication to personnel located at a safe distance from the contaminated area. In addition to collecting radiation field data, the GLD provides video images of the area being surveyed. The video information is transmitted to the operator using video frequency communication. Communication with the robot and the data acquisition system can be accomplished over long distances and around walls or corridors, thus eliminating the need for the operators to enter the contaminated building. The GLD itself weighs about 80 lbs. and the robot used in this demonstration weighs just more than 100 lbs. The GLD can rotate independent of the robot 330° horizontal and 125° vertical. The GLD has a sensitivity range of 60KeV to 6MeV. Successful GLD Demonstration at INEEL The Russian GLD demonstration was conducted in July 2001 at the INEEL Test Area North Building 616 (TAN-616) (click here to see Record of Meeting). The technology was compared to baseline characterization processes. The baseline for characterization involves sending technicians into the contaminated area to collect samples, which are then sent to a laboratory for gamma analysis. For the baseline, an additional person is required during entry if photographs or video images of the facility are needed for D&D planning. The GLD was used to quantify radioactive contamination levels in the TAN-616 Operating Pump Room, Control Room, and the Pump Room and collect video images of the facility. One engineer was required to operate the GLD while a second scientist interpreted data. The robot required one engineer for operation and a second technician to operate external cameras. Both the operators of the GLD and robot worked from a control station, untethered, outside of the contaminated building. The Russian GLD was able to identify numerous contaminated areas in the Operating Pump Room, Control Room, and in the Pump Room. Scan times during the demonstration ranged from 10 to 20 seconds. Observed measurements ranged from 100 to 6600 counts per minute above background. Measurements presented by the GLD were presented in total counts over the set detection time, Roentgen/hour, or Curies. The GLD has the capability to measure at distances ranging from less than a meter to 100 meters. A laser range-finder measures the distance for each radiation measurement. The hot spots found by the GLD correlated with those found by the radiological control and sample technicians. The GLD data was collected in near real-time and was made available to D&D planners as needed. Use of the GLD can save weeks of schedule time by eliminating the need to send samples to a laboratory for analysis. By using the GLD fewer workers are required to enter a contaminated areas thus reducing their exposure to radiation. The GLD was deployed at the INEEL Power Burst Facility. The INEEL Technical Demonstration Summary Sheet is published at http://id.inel.gov/lsddp/GLD_Fact_Sheet_rev_4.pdf and http://id.inel.gov/lsddp/IID_Factsheetrev2.pdf.
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