FIDS (Fuel Identification System) is an improved imaging system to help dramatically reduce core mapping operation time.

Background
Recent field operations, conducted within an actual containment area during critical path time, showed FIDS was able to map an entire reactor core faster and more accurately than before.

The versatility of FIDS makes it well suited to assist with other refueling tasks such as foreign object search and recovery (FOSAR), and for close-up inspection in high radiation areas when equipped with a RAD hardened camera.

Features
- Enhanced-image viewing software
- Ability to digitally save images for viewing at another time and place
- ROS provided CD-ROM graphically illustrating the mapped core
- Voice overlay
- Random access to individual images stored as digital information

Benefits
- Dramatically improves readability of fuel assemblies serial numbers, thereby reducing amount of time required to perform core mapping procedures
- Saved information can later be readily copied or transferred to another storage medium or sent over the internet to a remote location
- Random access of individual fuel assembly recorded during the actual outage.
- Operator can narrate core mapping while system is in use

Proven ROS components
For over 30 years, ROS has provided the highest quality systems for remote viewing in severe environments. The FIDS underwater imaging array is an integrated assembly using ROS components with a tradition of excellence.

The pan and tilt, incandescent light, and radiation tolerant strobes are field proven and dependable underwater components. They give you excellent performance and precise control when linked to our specially designed controller unit. Adjusting camera orientation and lighting is intuitive and responsive. The video camera provides quality images when core mapping, performing inspections, or locating foreign objects.

The FIDS graphical user interface give you the
ability to make important image adjustments such
as colorization, contrast, and gamma. It also
controls audio and text overlays

 

Controlled Lighting
The FIDS system produces high resolution images despite thermal distortion, radiation effects, suspended particles or corrosion.

To create an image, FIDS uses controlled illumination from its stop motion strobes to take multiple video exposures that are captured with a frame grabber.

Each exposure is taken using different lighting conditions to provide increased shadow detail and enhanced dimension for engraved serial numbers on fuel bundles and objects.

Advanced Image Processing
The individual exposures are digitized, formatted and electronically composited into a single image using an interfaced computer running proprietary software developed by ROS. The software provides real time image processing with edge enhancement and operator selected colorizing. This process produces incredibly detailed images that allow you to read fuel assembly serial numbers quickly and accurately.

The composed images are displayed on an computer monitor in near real-time. The system's computer also provides extensive voice annotation features which allow the user to add up to 30 seconds of voice comments. With the addition of a date, time and text overlay you now have comprehensive image documentation in a digital format.

Storage and Data Retrieval Options
Digital images, along with their accompanying voice and text information are stored on the computer's hard drive. After an inspection is completed the entire set of data can be saved to a CD using the CD burner included in the system.

ROS can also format that data as an HTML file written to a CD. The entire core mapping procedure can then be read from the CD, emailed, distributed via network or posted on the internet. Using any standard web browser, individual images can be called up directly and viewed in any random order.