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Printer FriendlyPit Viper—Questions and Answers
 Pit Viper technology allows cleanup activities in high radiation zones to be conducted remotely reducing worker exposure by as much as 75 percent. (8" x 10" 320 dpi image available from PNNL's Photo Library.) |
Will the Pit Viper lower worker radiation exposure?
Yes. Since operators are able to work remotely from a trailer many yards away from the radiation source, worker exposure is expected to be reduced by as much as 75 percent.
Will the Pit Viper save time and dollars over the conventional cleanup approach?
Yes. Not only will worker doses be reduced significantly, but efficiency also will be improved. By working remotely, operators can avoid the time involved and added expense of donning protective clothing and safety gear. These savings can be applied to employing our skilled workforce on other productive cleanup activities.
What cleanup tasks can the Pit Viper accomplish via remote operation?
With the many standard industrial tools available that the Pit Viper is able to use and the mobility of the articulated arm, the capability of the Pit Viper is impressive. The hydraulic manipulator arm and its 'end-effectors' give it the ability to:
- brush, spray or grind contaminated walls
- cut and reduce the size of pipes or broken equipment
- collect shovel, vacuum and remove accumulated trash, broken equipment and debris
- repair, clean, prep and paint or apply a fixative to the walls, as well as
- conduct radiation mapping or characterization of the pit.
How powerful/mobile is the remotely operated arm?
The Pit Viper's hydraulic manipulator arm is capable of lifting 200 pounds while fully extended. Four in-pit television cameras transmit operator cleanup activities to television monitors located in the trailer. Operators use joysticks and other remotely operated controls, to instruct the arm to perform a variety of cleanup, repair and maintenance tasks. The arm can rotate 360 degrees within the pit to perform these activities. Operators and staff work in the comfort of a trailer up to 200 feet away from radiation doses and hazardous contamination.
How did HAMMER save taxpayers' money?
DOE saved approximately $200,000 in construction and space rental costs by using an existing concrete demonstration equipment pit at the HAMMER Training and Education.
What is the system cost?
There is approximately $675,000 in hardware cost associated with the Pit Viper. This includes the robot, backhoe, control station and video systems.
How did you come up with this idea?
PNNL did a technology assessment, based on tank farm needs and requirements, of commercially available robots and deployment platforms. This led to four top "options" for systems, which PNNL presented to CH2M HILL Hanford Group, tank farm operations.
For cost, mobility and ease of decontamination reasons, the backhoe and manipulator arm solution was chosen.
How did using HAMMER improve the project schedule?
The ability to take advantage of the HAMMER's existing demonstration pit gave PNNL a "jump" on its schedule. The pit provided a perfect location to conduct demonstration, startup and training activities for PNNL.
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