For quite a few years now, indoor drones have been proving their worth to inspectors in the chemical industry. These drones provide a crucial advantage by enabling inspectors to gather critical visual data without stepping foot into hazardous confined spaces. Instead, they can remotely maneuver drones into these areas, significantly reducing risks.
Inspectors use indoor drones to examine a variety of assets within chemical plants. Some common targets include:
- Pipe racks
- Cables
- Conduits
- Fermenter tanks
- Pressure vessels and storage tanks
- Fiberglass storage tanks
- Suction ducts
- Heat exchangers
- Storage silos and bins
Traditionally, inspectors would physically enter these areas, using a flashlight and camera to assess the interior manually. This method could involve working on scaffolding or even rope access, both of which pose serious risks. Indoor drones, however, offer a safer alternative.
Take, for instance, the Elios 2, a high-quality indoor drone. It allows inspectors to send the drone into the asset, capturing comprehensive visual data without personal risk. Here are some key benefits of using indoor drones in the chemical industry:
**1. Cost Efficiency:**
Indoor drones can drastically cut down on inspection-related expenses. By avoiding the need for scaffolding, which can take days or weeks to set up and tear down, companies save both time and money. For example, during a recent inspection of a paper mill tank, the use of an indoor drone reduced the inspection time from four days to just six hours, saving the client €960,000.
**2. Enhanced Safety:**
The most significant benefit is the improvement in safety. Inspectors no longer have to deal with confined spaces, scaffolding, or rope access, all of which carry serious risks. At a French fertilizer plant owned by Yara, inspectors found that the Elios 2 was so dependable that they didn't need to physically enter the plant's assets. The drone provided clear, detailed visuals comparable to traditional methods, but without the danger.
**3. Unparalleled Access:**
Indoor drones, such as the Elios 2, are designed to navigate tight and confined spaces. Their protective cages allow them to collide with surfaces without damage, ensuring smooth navigation. This capability proved invaluable during an inspection of a hydrogen reformer at a chemical plant. The interior was lined with fragile ceramic fiber, making physical entry nearly impossible. With the Elios 2, Simon Kumm of InspecDrone was able to collect all necessary visual data safely.
**4. High-Quality Visual Data:**
The Elios 2 offers 4K video and high-quality images, with advanced stabilization and lighting features. This ensures that inspectors can capture every detail, even in challenging environments. These high-quality visuals provide valuable insights for various departments, aiding in asset maintenance and prolonging their lifespan.
**5. Increased Inspection Frequency:**
With indoor drones, quick spot checks become feasible. This ability to frequently assess asset conditions helps improve maintenance schedules, reducing both planned and unplanned downtimes. At Yara, the ability to conduct more frequent inspections led to better maintenance practices and extended asset life.
**6. Data Localization:**
Flyability’s Inspector 3.0 software enables inspectors to mark defect locations precisely. This feature allows for easy tracking of issues over time or sharing with other stakeholders. During a complex hydrogen reformer inspection, Simon Kumm used this software to identify exact flaw locations, streamlining the entire inspection process.
In conclusion, indoor drones are revolutionizing inspections in the chemical industry by enhancing safety, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. As technology advances, their role will likely expand further, offering even more advantages to inspectors worldwide.
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