The Optimal Use of Robotics for Periodic Inspection

Abstract

This paper examines the economics of expenditures for robotic equipment, which would reduce the radiation exposure to personnel carrying out Periodic Inspection in a CANDU nuclear station. A method is used which accounts for the actual level of risk, the exposure limits and socio-economic factors. For typical assumptions, this results in an optimal expenditure of $635,000 (1984)/person-Sv. For a typical piping system in a CANDU station, $10,200 (1984)/weld could be justified if all inspection radiation exposure were eliminated. As a separate but related matter, examination of the optimal level of piping system inspection suggests that current inspection requirements may be excessive, in terms of protection of the public from the radiation consequences of piping system failure. However, the requirements appear realistic when all consequences, including economic, are considered.