BORESCOPES & SAFETY | RADIATION MANAGEMENT & ALARA
Above: A gravity sensor in a scope tip can automatically orientate the image for easier and faster inspection
This principle requires continuous vigilance, employing
advanced technologies, and optimizing work procedures to keep radiation doses well below established limits. Remote visual inspection (RVI) technology has continued to evolve and provide a safer alternative for personnel to make their inspections from a sufficient distance to help decrease their annual effective dose level.
A safer way to inspect nuclear plants When critical inspections at nuclear plants reveal suspected corrosion or blocked conduits or vessels in the containment area, they must be handled immediately to help avoid accidental radiation leakage. In some cases, the reactor may need to be shut down so that workers outfitted in full-body protective gear can perform the inspection. Remote visual inspection using video borescopes offers
a safer and more efficient alternative to this method. It helps avoid costly shutdowns, saves time and operational costs, and reduces the risk of a harmful radiation dose for workers.
Industrial video borescopes are advanced inspection
tools that enable inspectors to perform visual observations remotely via external camera-based equipment. In this remote visual inspection, the video borescope’s insertion tubes are used to access the target area. The video technology on the borescope lets the inspector analyse the area from a distance through a monitor. Inspectors can view image data in real time on the screen and record it for further assessment, analysis, and reporting.
Navigating nuclear inspection challenges Advanced video borescope systems offer inspectors the ability to quickly identify issues. This aids in faster decision- making and targeted maintenance. The captured video and images are valuable documentation for reporting, supporting thorough inspections that comply with regulations.
In addition, durable and manoeuvrable insertion tubes can easily navigate complex structures within the plant.
Video borescopes come with different configuration options and multiple insertion tube diameters and lengths to adapt to varying and challenging inspection conditions. Time and distance are important factors for determining inspection conditions. Video borescopes equipped with a long insertion tube enable the visual inspection of difficult- to-access locations, such as water conduits. The longer the insertion tube, the farther away the inspectors can be from the radiation. The reactor vessel contains components crucial to the plant’s operation. However, accessing these areas can be challenging due to high radiation levels. Video borescopes are used to visually inspect the reactor
vessel internals on a regular basis. As shown in Figure 1, left, typical inspection areas include the core shroud, control rod drive mechanisms, and other critical elements in the non-nuclear balance of plant such as the steam generators and condensers. Inspectors can navigate the borescope remotely, capturing real-time video and images to assess the condition of these components without direct human entry into the high-radiation environment. Unfortunately, even the best video borescope equipment does not come out completely unscathed when exposed to radiation. If the insertion tube is used to inspect dirty- water-filled pipes, contamination is inevitable, and damage is also a possibility. When the equipment is used in high- radiation areas, in some instances, decontaminating the equipment may be considered too costly and risky for the health of the workers. The plant may opt to sacrifice the insertion tube, leaving it permanently in the radiation area. Regardless, the insertion tube and the video borescope
need to be robust enough to satisfy the requirements and expectations of the nuclear plant’s safety inspection and maintenance programs.
Borescope capabilities for nuclear plants Advanced video borescopes have features that enable them to survive longer in radiation areas. The following video borescope capabilities are helpful for navigating the challenging inspection environment of nuclear power
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