O.S.C.A.R.: digital support for clearance measurements of buildings in nuclear dismantling
SCK CEN and MAGICS Technologies are combining their expertise to make clearance measurements more efficient, more reliable and fully traceable.
How do you make a time-consuming and error-prone process more efficient, more reliable and ready for the future? This was a key question in the development of O.S.C.A.R., an innovative digital solution from SCK CEN and MAGICS Technologies that supports and automates clearance measurements during the dismantling of nuclear facilities.
The challenge
When dismantling a nuclear facility, operators must demonstrate that walls, floors and ceilings meet the clearance criteria and are therefore free of radioactive contamination exceeding the permitted limits. This is currently mainly done manually using portable measuring devices or handheld monitors.
"Operators take thousands of measurements and then have to link them to the correct location," explains Brecht Deblier, a characterisation expert at SCK CEN. "This makes the process labour-intensive and increases the risk of administrative errors. At the same time, full traceability is essential to demonstrate compliance with all regulatory requirements."
The solution: O.S.C.A.R.
As part of the ANUBIS project, SCK CEN collaborated with MAGICS Technologies to develop the smart add-on O.S.C.A.R. (Optimised System for Contamination Assessment and Reporting) for existing portable measuring devices. It automates the recording of measurement data and automatically links each measurement to an exact location. This creates a digital data stream from measurement to visualisation, without requiring operators to record data manually.
"We use O.S.C.A.R. to support the clearance process through automated data acquisition and improved traceability," says Brecht Deblier. "This makes the work more efficient and reliable."
How it works
The space is equipped in advance with wireless transmitters or beacons that enable precise positioning. During the measurements, operators use their familiar handheld monitor, supplemented by the O.S.C.A.R. module. The measurement data is automatically read and made digitally available for further processing.
At the same time, the system records the exact location of the measurement. The measurement value and position are automatically linked and immediately transmitted to a central backend, where the data is stored and visualised. This allows the experts to analyse it easily and use it for reporting.
What makes O.S.C.A.R. unique?
O.S.C.A.R.'s strength lies in its flexibility. The system makes existing measuring devices smarter rather than replacing them. This allows organisations to continue working with the familiar equipment they are already using.
In addition, O.S.C.A.R. is compatible with measuring devices from various manufacturers, including Berthold and Nuvia. The system's modular architecture means it can also be expanded to include other devices and applications.
The solution combines various technologies into a single integrated system: automatic data readout, indoor positioning for precise location, and software for data processing and visualisation.
"This collaboration demonstrates how innovative technology can address specific challenges in the nuclear sector," says Siebe Vervoort, Electronics Engineer at MAGICS Technologies. "By digitalising existing processes, we improve both the efficiency and the quality of the data collected."
Faster measurements, fewer errors, better traceability
By largely eliminating manual recording, O.S.C.A.R. significantly reduces the administrative burden on operators. The system minimises the risk of human error and ensures consistent, reproducible recording of measurement data.
Not only does this save time, but it also improves the traceability of the entire clearance process. All measurements are digitally linked to a precise location, which creates a clear audit trail for internal controls and regulatory reporting.
With O.S.C.A.R., SCK CEN and MAGICS Technologies are taking an important step towards a more digital, efficient and sustainable approach to nuclear dismantling.
ANUBIS & the relaunch plan for Belgium and Europe
Rewind to 2021. At that time, the European Union awarded SCK CEN funding for the ANUBIS project, which stands for "Advancing NUclear dismantling in Belgium through Improving Sustainability." The main goal of the project is to develop technologies and competencies to maximise the cost-efficient reuse of materials released during nuclear dismantling. This includes the construction of the MaT building at the SCK CEN site—a new research, development and demonstration facility with associated installations for supporting innovation in dismantling projects in Belgium.
The project not only fits into the Belgian-European plan for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, but also seamlessly aligns with the sustainable dismantling of the five nuclear power plants at Doel and Tihange. "And we are not doing this alone," says An Bielen, coordinator of the ANUBIS project at SCK CEN. "We have already joined forces with four private-sector partners."
Want to know more about ANUBIS? Click here.
