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S. R Kotler, ARD Environmental, Inc., E. C. Mallen, Indiana Michigan
Power Co., Cook Nuclear Plant, K. M. Tamms, American Electric Power
Service Corporation, 1995. Robotic Removal of Zebra Mussel
Accumulations in a Nuclear Power Plant Screenhouse
Proceedings of The Fifth International Zebra Mussel and Other Aquatic
Nuisance Organisms Conference, Toronto, Canada, February 1995
Robotic Removal of Zebra Mussel Accumulations in a Nuclear Power Plant
Screenhouse
ABSTRACT:
Zebra mussel accumulations in the power plant intake system have increased over the last
four years and have become a maintenance issue. Several treatment methods have been used
in combination, including molluscicides, chlorination and mechanical cleaning by divers.
Mechanical cleaning by divers is limited to areas of relatively low flow velocity. Various
sections of the screenhouse are not accessible except during an outage or when one of the
intake tunnels can be otherwise be blocked and flow reduced. In addition, diver services
are relatively costly. For the above reasons, the Indiana Michigan Power Co., Cook Nuclear
Plant, contracted with ARD Environmental Inc. to develop and test a robotic system as an
alternative to cleaning by divers.
The first phase of this project addressed the requirement to clean the screenhouse floor
in all areas, including those with high flow velocity. Subsequent phases will address
robotic cleaning of other areas of the intake and the screenhouse structures.
The objectives of the project were to:
- Demonstrate the ability to deploy and retrieve a modified XT1000 vehicle in the
inlet bay and screen bays.
- Remove the accumulations of zebra mussels and possibly other pumpable material from the
floor.
- 3) Reduce or eliminate the need for diver services and reduce overall cost of removing
accumulations of zebra mussels.
- Critique operations and develop recommendations for further enhancements to the robotic
equipment and materials handling system.
Implementation of the operating plan commenced on September 8,1994, and was completed on
October 7, 1994. The project demonstrated that robotic techniques are an efficient and
cost effective alternative to diver operations for mechanical removal of zebra mussels. In
particular, the robotic system was able to operate effectively in the high flow velocity
areas including those at the intake tunnels. The ability to operate in the high flow areas
means that zebra mussel removal may take place at any time, without affecting normal plant
operations.
Part 1Entire Paper |
Part 2Entire Paper
Keywords: Disposal, Industry, Zebra_mussel
Product Type: Publication, Proceedings
User Type: Industrial_and_municipal
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