Remote-controlled robots are taking over some of the toughest work as the closure phase expands at the Blue Grass plant.
“It’s better than working with a regular jackhammer because with these robots you can get a lot more done without being worn out,” said Josh Theunissen, maintenance technician, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP.
“We have been able to accomplish a tremendous amount of work with hand-held jackhammers and will continue to use hand-held equipment throughout the closure phase, but at the end of the day, these robots have a lot more power, they can get more done, and they eliminate a lot of the physical labor for our employees,” said James Parker, maintenance manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass.
As part of decommissioning and decontamination in the main plant, workers have been using hand-held jackhammers to break up concrete pedestals on which robots, conveyors and other machinery were mounted and anchored. Some of those pedestals, which measure as large as five feet by three feet by three feet and contain steel rods and large bolts, proved stubborn to remove. That’s when the robots were brought in.
“They make pretty short work of things,” said Wayne Brewster, plant shift representative, BGCAPP.
Last fall, workers spent several weeks training with the bright yellow electric-powered devices and the sophisticated consoles used to guide them. Resembling small backhoes, the versatile machines can be fitted with a variety of attachments ranging from drills and hammers to circular sanders to tackle different tasks.
Wearing Demilitarization Protective Ensemble suits, known as DPE, operators stand behind large clear plastic screens to protect them from any flying debris. A second team member, also wearing DPE, acts as a spotter as an additional safety measure. Overall, about 20 workers are trained to operate the robots.
The concrete pieces and metal from the shattered pedestals are bagged up, secured in air-tight drums and taken away for agent monitoring and then disposal.
The next step is adding a tool to remove floor coatings and the top layer of concrete from the floors in a process known as scabbling. It’s part of preparing for demolition, the next phase of closure.
“The robots are going to be used more and more,” said Parker. “They get the job done and keep our employees safe. Both are important.”
