Radiological Environmental Surveillance using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka

Abstract

In this paper, we assembled and demonstrated an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which was used to conduct a radiological environmental surveillance using a Geiger-Muller (GM) counter. To ensure environmental protection and enhancing nuclear safety, routine surveillance of radioactivity is a must. Biggest challenge in conducting frequent radiological environmental surveillance is limiting the exposure of the radiation workers. Using remotely controlled and automated robotics (e.g. UAV) can overcome this challenge. It also comes with the added benefit of requiring much less time while surveying a vast area. The UAV flies along a predetermined route or is remotely controlled while collecting radioactivity data using GM counter in counts per minute (cpm). The data is stored in an SD card which is later extracted for analysis. The assembled GM counter is 96% efficient in measuring gamma radiation. The surveillance conducted on Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka shows the average absorbed dose is 2.155 mSv/year.