CIGAR: A Remote Inspection System

Abstract

CIGAR (Channel Inspection and Gauging Apparatus for Reactors) is an automated system that has been developed by Ontario Hydro, Canadian General Electric and AECL for the inspection of pressure tubes in CANDU reactors. It performs volumetric flaw detection, diameter and wall thickness measurement, sag profile measurement and spacer location determination. The inspection systems employed may have application in other situation and they well demonstrate the capabilities that exist in Canada for the development of sophisticated technology to solve complex problems. Part 1 of this paper discusses the requirements for the system and describes the CIGAR inspection, data acquisition and processing components that were developed by Ontario Hydro's Research Division. Part 2 describes the CIGAR delivery system that was developed by Canadian General Electric.