Recently, crews at Hanford’s Cold Test Facility demonstrated that robots equipped with cold spray technology can refurbish a mock annulus floor. This marked a significant step forward in potentially incorporating the technology into Hanford’s tank integrity toolkit. Stephanie Doll, WRPS technical lead for tank refurbishment projects, expressed her admiration for the cold spray technology and its potential application for the Hanford double-shell tanks based on data collected during full-scale demonstrations. She also commended the field crew for their invaluable feedback and proficiency in deploying and operating the equipment, which has been crucial to the project’s success so far.
During the recent demonstration, crews showcased the effectiveness of robots equipped with cold spray technology in refurbishing an annulus floor. The system’s capabilities were confirmed, marking a significant milestone in potentially incorporating this innovative approach to tank maintenance at Hanford.
Doll highlighted the impressive progress made by the team and emphasized the importance of field crew feedback and expertise in advancing the project. By using mock-up demonstrations to showcase how robotic equipment can navigate spaces between shells, crews have paved the way for further exploration of this approach to tank maintenance at Hanford.
In conclusion, recent demonstrations at Hanford’s Cold Test Facility have shown that robots equipped with cold spray technology can effectively refurbish an annulus floor. This marks a significant step forward in potentially incorporating this innovative approach to tank maintenance at Hanford. The field crew’s feedback and expertise have been instrumental in advancing this project so far, highlighting their importance as a valuable resource for future endeavors.
