Artificial intelligence in handling of samples and waste packages

Nuclear fuel reprocessing and nuclear waste management involve handling of radioactive samples and packages at various stages. Activities involving handling of radioactive materials include receipt and storage of spent fuel from Nuclear Power Plants (NPP), spent nuclear fuel charging and chopping operation, process liquid sampling system, vitrified waste canister handling and storage system etc. Advanced control systems employ safety interlocks and operational intelligence for the above systems for remote operation and machine cycle automation. However, machine operation still requires manual intervention. Artificial Intelligence (AI), which refers to the simulation of human intelligence by machines, shall help to achieve machine operation with minimal manual intervention. This directly will lead to achieving the intent of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle by reducing manRem consumption and increasing plant throughput by automating decision-making for machine operations for the radioactive material handling system. The ideal characteristic of AI is its ability to rationalize and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal. Applications of artificial intelligence have been growing rapidly in a variety of industrial technologies, ranging from automation, data analytics and quality inspections. Employing AI in the control systems of the above machines is a classic example of AI application in automation systems. (author)