Dounreay Site Restoration Limited

History

2017: Use of drones for inspection of the NPP

Pilotless lethal devices (UAVs) help to preserve money and do safer work of employees, the Scottish company Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) specializing in an output of the NPP from operation states. In November, 2017 DSRL reported that it will save 100 thousand feet sterlings (more than $130 thousand) due to use of the drone for high-rise inspection of objects of the NPP.

Using Dounreay Site Restoration Limited drones expects to reduce risks and to save means

The company annually performs about 50 high-rise surveys of objects of the nuclear power plants which are responsible for cleaning and utilization of radioactive waste. Before this work was performed by the staff of DSRL using tower vehicles. However falling from height is recognized one of the main causes of death and injury rate in workplaces in Great Britain therefore into the companies it was decided to pass to the UAV. The drone equipped with cameras is capable to rise by height up to 120 meters so now employees can perform high-rise inspections from the earth and not put itself at risk.

Purchase of the specialized drone cost DSRL 6 thousand pounds (about $7846), however the senior electrical engineer of Dounreay John Moar at the initiative of whom the company also decided to implement the UAV, considers that costs were worth it.

High-rise inspection of 20-meter air-channels in the project on upgrade of a vent system on one of atomic objects became the first experience of use of the drone for the company. Before for accomplishment of this work it would be required to set the construction woods and to employ a tower vehicle which lease would cost several thousands of pounds a week, the employee noted.

The project manager is delighted with quality and detailing of the received images and subjects, it was how easy to make pictures. Also the drone provided the circular overview that often is impossible when carrying out survey by employees — John Moar told about pluses of use of technology.[1]

Notes