Indigenous Development of Miniature Underwater Radiation Resistant CCTV Camera for Remotised Inspection of Coolant Channels of PHWRs

R.K. Puri, A.K. Haruray, M. Padamanabhan, H.M. Bapat & Manjit Singh
Division of Remote Handling & Robotics, BARC
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 A miniature underwater radiation resistant Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) Camera and Camera Control Unit for visual inspection of coolant channels, designed to be compatible with BARCIS delivery system, has been developed at BARC.

 The system consists of a Camera Head, Camera Control Unit and the Monitor. The Camera is specially  designed with only minimum electronic components working in high radiation environment. All other electronic components needed for camera operation are built in the Camera Control Unit, which is located outside radiation         environment. Remotised Controls for focusing, illumination and mirror rotation are built into Camera Control Unit.

Miniature underwater radiation resistant  closed circuit television (CCTV) Camera developed at BARC, for remotised inspection of coolant channels of PHWRs

The optical and electronic components of the Camera have been specially developed and qualified for use in radiation field of 106 Rads/hr for an integrated dose of 108 Rads.

 Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata and the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. have helped in the fabrication of optical and electronics components respectively.

 

Camera Head

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Radiation tolerance:     100 M Rad @ 1 M Rad per hour                                                Pickup element  :      2/3 inch non-browning vidicon tube      
Resolution :     Better than 600 lines at the centre
Sensitivity                                  :     10 lux on face plate        
Illumination          :     3 Halogen bulbs rated at 6 V, 20 W                                          Inputs Control     :     10-200 nA from pick-up tube, Macro focus control
                                        Illumination control, Mirror rotation control       
Output                    :     15 mV video signal        
Environment (underwater)   :      Rated at 10 kgs/sq cm; Working pressure
                                                           5 kgs/sq cm               
 
Cable       :           Radiation resistant cable length 100 metres
The Camera System has been qualified on full-scale mock-up test  facility at BARC and the system is ready for use on reactor channels.
 
The camera can be used for -
 
-    radial viewing of inside surface of pressure tubes of 220 MWe/500 MWe PHWRs during in-service inspection, and
 
-           in-situ inspection of inside surface of calandria tubes prior to installation of pressure  tubes. The Camera has recently been used for in-situ inspection of inside surface of 16 calandria tubes of MAPS-2 prior to installation of new pressure tubes.
 
This development has resulted in self-reliance in hitech area and substantial savings in cost.
 With the experience gained during the development, it will be possible to develop radiation resistant CCTV camera for use in hot cells & water pools.