Detection of Simulated Fukushima Daiichi Fuel Debris Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle at the Naraha Test Facility

Nancekievill, M.*; Espinosa, J.*; Watson, S.*; Lennox, B.*; Jones, A.*; Joyce, M. J.*; Katakura, Junichi*; Okumura, Keisuke ; Kamada, So*; Kato, Michio*; Nishimura, Kazuya*

In order to contribute to fuel debris search at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, we developed a system to search for submerged fuel debris by mounting a sonar on the remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The system can obtain 3D images of submerged fuel debris in real time by using the positioning system, depth sensor, and collected sonar data. As a demonstration test, a simulated fuel debris was installed at the bottom of the water tank facility at the Naraha Center for Remote Control Technology Development, and a 3D image was successfully obtained.