POWER August 2017 - 53

NUCLEAR
2. Tracing pipes. This image shows a 3-D pipe run scanned at
a Midwestern nuclear power plant. Reactor containment walls were
removed in the virtual environment. Courtesy: Exact Metrology Inc.
and harnesses. Scanning from ground level also avoided the need for
some work permits-which would have been required to climb ladders
above a certain level-fall protection, air monitoring in higher
elevations, and contact with possible contaminated surfaces above.
Another advantage of 3-D imaging over other methods is that
it allows additional measurements to be taken after-the-fact. With
standard measuring, once technicians have left a site, if a measurement
was missed or additional measurements were determined to be
necessary, they would have to return to re-measure. If the plant was
back online, re-entry might not be possible.
However, with 3-D scanning the data is picture quality. By view3.
Getting the full picture. This image shows an isometric
view of several pipe runs with high-point elevations denoted in several
places. Courtesy: Exact Metrology Inc.
ing the file on a computer, technicians can revisit the facility virtually,
using the point cloud, and extract the required data without an
additional site visit.
Once scanning was completed, 3-D computer-aided design models
were generated and computer snapshots were recorded with elevation
descriptors marked on each side of the pipe runs. The report
showed a graphical description of the model pipes with the elevation
provided in a PDF form.
The reports were sent to facility engineers to determine where
to install vents on the pipe runs. The test results were found to be
useful and the plant was able to take action to correct the problem.
Due to the proprietary nature of the nuclear power plant facility, no
further results were made available.
The folks in health physics were probably some of the happiest
about the project. The dose levels that the crew received were
substantially lower than ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable)
goals set at the beginning of the task. ■
-Greg Hoeting is a high-definition surveying application specialist
for Exact Metrology (www.exactmetrology.com).
3-D Laser Scanning Benefits
The Leica scanners are capable of capturing full-volume, 360-degree,
3-D point clouds (Figure 2) in about three minutes. Some
rooms only required a single setup, which resulted in minimal exposure
times in the potentially hazardous nuclear environment.
Once a scan was initiated, the data acquisition was completely
automated, allowing the metrologist to retreat to low-dose areas
while critical data continued to be captured by the device. Once
scanning was completed, the multiple scan setups were stitched together
to form one large point cloud (Figure 3). This allowed the
users to extract data from any section of the pipe run and from any
perspective.
Complex software algorithms then provided a function to extract
all pipe sizes, centerlines, and positions, even when only parts of
the pipes were scanned. As an added benefit, the dense point cloud
obtained was able to reveal areas of crystallization, which indicated
that leaks in the pipes had already developed.
The advantages of using 3-D scanning versus the traditional tape
measure and ladder were numerous. The elimination of human error,
greater accuracy, and speed were some obvious upsides. Operator
safety, especially in high-radiation and high-contamination
areas, was greatly increased due to the speed and operational characteristics
of the scanners, which allowed operators to spend minimal
time in dangerous rooms.
The scanners allowed operators to take measurements from the
ground, avoiding the danger associated with ladders, scaffolding,
August 2017 | POWER
www.powermag.com
Content Licensing for
Every Marketing Strategy
Marketing solutions it for:
* Outdoor
* Direct Mail
* Print Advertising
* Tradeshow/POP Displays
* Social Media
* Radio & Television
Logo Licensing |
Reprints
Eprints | Plaques
Leverage branded content from Power Magazine to
create a more powerful and sophisticated statement
about your product, service, or company in your
next marketing campaign. Contact Wright's Media
to ind out more about how we can customize your
acknowledgements and recognitions to enhance your
marketing strategies.
For more information, call Wright's Media at 877.652.5295
or visit our website at www.wrightsmedia.com
53
http://www.exactmetrology.com http://www.wrightsmedia.com http://www.powermag.com
POWER August 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of POWER August 2017
