TITLE: DOSE AND COST OPTIMISATION USING VIRTUAL REALITY. B.Gómez-Argüello, R. Salve, F. González

Transcription

1 TITLE: DOSE AND COST OPTIMISATION USING VIRTUAL REALITY B.Gómez-Argüello, R. Salve, F. González Tecnatom, Avda. Montes de Oca, 1, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid. Abstract. Virtual Reality (VR) technology offers a good opportunity to reduce doses and costs in typical processes in radiological environments. The continuously decreasing associated cost of the VR technology makes now possible to use it satisfying cost-benefit criteria. Dose reductions can be achieved both by a better planning of the tasks to be performed and by a better training on these tasks. In the first case, TECNATOM has developed two tools with the aim to facilitate and improve the planning process in radioactive areas: SIMU2, for a generic case and SIROCO-3D, for specific In Service Inspection applications. TECNATOM has also participated in other related joint initiatives like VRIMOR project and OECD-HALDEN Reactor Project, both dealing with the use of VR for planning in radioactive areas. Concerning training, VIRMAN and STARMATE tools provide user-friendly environments for complex maintenance tasks in hazardous environments like radioactive ones, in such a way that the risk of receiving unnecessary doses is reduced to a minimum. ALARA criteria is then more easily fulfilled. In this domain (training), PRVIR tool also offers the user an interactive 3D environment especially adequate to show the trainee how to behave in controlled areas following existing procedures. Cost optimisation may be the direct result of the previously identified dose savings (equivalence dose cost), the training costs savings (no mock-ups needs, improved training efficiency) and the task execution cost savings (less execution time, less mistakes). In most cases, using low cost VR set-ups (just regular PC s with no expensive SW licenses), the customer gets 3D information of the simulated environment improving both the planning and the training process. 1. Introduction The use of the VR technology running in standard PCs and using freeware or low cost software, can help the NPP s and the associated industry to optimize its processes by reducing costs, improving the efficiency and diminishing doses, when applicable. This optimization is achieved through a better planning and a better training in certain key activities, especially those where the spatial dimension becomes an aspect of paramount importance. TECNATOM has experience in using and developing VR based planning and training tools. Some of them will be shortly described in this article. 2. Planning tools Dose reductions con be achieved by a better planning of the tasks to be performed. Tools with the aim to facilitate and improve the planning process in radioactive areas will permit: Errors prevention Execution time decreasing Dose saving Enhancing communication between the working-team A description of some of the tools developed by Tecnatom is showed in the following paragraphs: 1

2 Project SIMU2 SIMU2 (Figure 1) is a virtual reality tool conceived for planning maintenance operations in radioactive environments that includes a training module. The system visually and interactively reproduces the real environment where the operation is going to take place and, by means of a series of tools, it can simulate human actions represented by dummies. Introducing the right data (sources, geometries, shielding, doses measured at several points), the program calculates the dose that the operators would hypothetically receive executing the simulated tasks. This application is useful for training because it allows to visually reproduce the sequence of operations, including comments, for the propose of teaching the operators that will actually be executing them. This product has direct application for dismantling activities. CIEMAT, Computer Science Department of Madrid s Polytechnic University, Almaraz NPP, as pilot plant, and Tecnatom have developed it. Project SIROCO 3D FIG. 1. Project SIMU 2 SIROCO-3D is a tool developed by Tecnatom that complements the SIROCO movement control system in the performance of automatized component inspections in the nuclear, industrial and aeronautical sectors. SIROCO-3D allows the operator to visualize, simulate or monitor in real time the behaviour of automatized inspection systems based on robots and components from modelled 3D environments. The basic functionalities of the product are: Simulation of trajectories, kinetic movements and robot articulations on components with collision detection. 3D monitoring of robots in actual operation with collision detection stop control. Generation of 3D scenarios on the basis of previously modelled robots and geometries. The field of application of SIROCO-3D covers in general, the simulation and/or monitoring of robots in the working environment. 2

3 FIG. 2. Project SIROCO 3D Project VRIMOR VRIMOR is an European Joint Project developed by CIEMAT, NNC, SCK-CEN, TECNATOM, UPM and Z+F UK. This tool develops a methodology based on virtual reality and analyses the viability of decreasing doses, reducing risks and minimizing the associated cots to maintenance activities performed at nuclear power plants. The system incorporates a tool that allows the user to visualise the radiation field through a colour code (Figure 3). A scanner using laser technology captures the real world. On this way the virtual world is modelled with a very high precision. These techniques were proven modelling a real area of Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant. FIG. 3. Project VRIMOR 3

4 3. Training tools A better training will Decrease the errors committed (more safety, less cost) Decrease time consumption to perform the task (less cost) Save doses Training constitutes one of the core businesses of Tecnatom. The development of information and communication technologies over the last years is having a significant impact on the world education. Obviously, these technologies offer a valuable potential for training in many areas as radiological protection, simulation, maintenance, non-destructive testing and man-machine interface design. Tecnatom is developing an internal plan for this purpose. Some of the developments are following described: Project VIRMAN The purpose of project VIRMAN is to develop a tool based on virtual image animation in three dimensions for equipment assembly, disassembly and handling. It involves modelling and animation of equipments, rooms, buildings or equipments parts in three dimensions. The procedure chosen as the pilot scenario and demo of the tool s potential has been the vessel path of Trillo NPP refuelling. In this scenario, the containment and the equipment/tools that are moved during refuelling operations have been modelled. The sequence of activities taken during the refuelling is described in accordance with the specific plant procedure. TECNATOM s VIRMAN tool uses the Halden VR toolkit FIG. 4. Project VIRMAN Project STARTMATE STARMATE Project has developed an application of augmented reality for training users and for assisting maintenance task execution. Augmented reality has emerged as a development of the virtual reality concept. The aim is to augment reality with additional information. Real objects are seen and interacted with, at the same time that the system provides additional information (virtual) that assists or amplifies (augment) the reality and helps the task execution or learning. The student or maintenance technician has a system (Figure 5) composed of special goggles that allow him to see reality and act as a computer monitor. A microphone and earphones are also 4

5 used to provide the aids and guidelines for operation execution. With his hands free to do the work, the user interacts with the system by a voice recognition system and receives instructions to perform the job in the form of virtual images; these can be audio or video documents, texts or graphics. FIG. 5. Project STARMATE The figure 6 shows an example of the system. This system is a demonstration of what reality augmented can offer concerning training, but nowadays, it is not a low cost product. FIG 6. Project STARMATE 5

6 The STARTMATE Project has been developed as part of the European IST (Information Societies Technology) program which is jointly financed by the following partners: Thompson, CSII, ZGVD, Dune, CASA and Tecnatom. Project PR-VIR PR-VIR (Figure 7) is a computer-assisted course on radiological protection. After receiving instructions on the pertinent concepts, the student is required to execute a serie of practical exercises. The specific physical environment (Vandellós II in the prototype) and the activities to be carried out are shown in interactive 3D format (virtual reality). The student then reconstructs the previously displayed animation using a dummy. The system provides a step-by-step report indicating whether the simulated action is correct or not. 4. Conclusions FIG.7. Project PR-VIR Very important steps have been taken in recent years that, in some cases, are hard to assimilate in such a short period of time. Contrary to the general belief, VR is not just a game tool either an expensive technology. The increasing capacity of the low cost computers and the public software availability, makes VR an affordable and useful technology with an enormous potential for improving many typical process in the nuclear industry. Aware the potential of the virtual technology, TECNATOM is developing an internal plan for the purpose of structuring the know-how available to date and acquiring new skills and means to exploit and drive this technology as we encompasses specific VR development capabilities and a wide experience in nuclear technology. 6