Elios 3 Selected for Internal 3D Mapping in Nuclear Waste Removal Project at DOE Site
This article is part of a series exploring how the Elios 3 is being utilized in a project led by the Idaho Environmental Coalition, under contract with the Department of Energy (DOE), to develop a safe method for removing hundreds of cubic meters of highly radioactive waste from underground storage bins in Idaho. The initiative is known as the Calcine Retrieval Project (CRP). Key highlights: The Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC) is part of the larger Idaho Cleanup Project at the Idaho National Laboratory. Their task is to safely remove 220 cubic meters (720 cubic feet) of radioactive waste—known as calcine—from underground storage bins that have been in place for over 60 years. The calcine is stored inside 6.1-meter-high (20-foot) concrete bins located within a vault constructed in the 1950s. These structures were never designed for future waste retrieval, making the task extremely complex and risky. To address this challenge, the CRP team developed a detailed plan involving several steps, including drilling access holes through the vault's thick roof, installing access risers, and using robotic systems to extract the material. However, before any of this could begin, the team needed a clear understanding of what was inside the vault. Creating a 3D model of the vault was essential to identify obstructions such as pipes, conduits, and structural supports. This information would help ensure precise placement of the core holes and prevent damage during the retrieval process. Initially, the team attempted to use a handheld LiDAR sensor, but due to the confined space and radiation levels, it only produced a partial map with significant blind spots. To overcome this, they evaluated multiple methods for delivering LiDAR or photogrammetry systems into the vault. In 2019, the CRP team tried lowering a LiDAR sensor through the single hatch in the vault’s roof, but the limited mobility of the system resulted in incomplete data. They needed a solution that could navigate the tight spaces and collect full coverage data from multiple vantage points. Five options were considered: modifying an existing articulating arm, designing a new one, using a helium blimp, drilling more access holes, or using a commercially available drone. Each option was evaluated based on cost, technical risk, complexity, and feasibility. After careful analysis, the team found that the Elios 2 offered the best balance of performance, safety, and affordability. At the time, the Elios 3 was still in development, but once it launched, the CRP team opted for it due to its advanced LiDAR capabilities, which provided even higher-quality 3D models. The Elios 2 and 3 are both collision-resistant, allowing them to maneuver through tight spaces filled with pipes and other obstacles. They are also radiation-tolerant, having been used in nuclear environments across North America. Their ability to operate beyond visual line of sight, combined with high-resolution imaging and thermal data, makes them ideal for dangerous and complex tasks like this one. To confirm the effectiveness of the Elios 2, the CRP team conducted a test flight in a simulated environment that replicated the conditions of the actual vault. The test was successful, proving that the drone could navigate the space and collect accurate photogrammetry data. Following the test, Flyability released the Elios 3, which the CRP team quickly adopted. With its integrated LiDAR, the Elios 3 offers even greater precision and efficiency in mapping the vault’s interior, helping to ensure the success of the entire calcine retrieval operation. High temperature resistant machined parts, Cnc Special-Shaped Machining​, Plastic Machining Parts,Special-Shaped Part Guangzhou One-Stop Engineering Plastics Industries (group) Co., Ltd , https://www.onestopmould.com
The Challenge: Mapping an Irradiated Vault
Evaluating Delivery Methods for 3D Mapping in a Confined Space
Testing the Elios 2