Industrial storage tanks are vital components in sectors like oil & gas and power generation. Ensuring their structural integrity is paramount, yet traditional inspection methods often involve draining tanks, manual entry, and significant downtime.
Enter the Flyability Elios 3 drone equipped with an ultrasonic thickness (UT) payload—a game-changer in non-destructive testing.
The Challenge
Conventional tank inspections require tanks to be emptied and cleaned, followed by personnel entering confined spaces to perform measurements. This process is time-consuming, costly, and poses safety risks.
The Innovative Approach
Ingenieursbureau Klink BV, an inspection company specialising in industrial assets, sought to optimise their tank inspection processes. By integrating the Elios 3 drone with its UT payload, they aimed to conduct thorough inspections without the need to empty tanks or expose workers to hazardous environments.
The Outcome
The drone successfully performed 84 ultrasonic thickness measurements inside a stainless steel tank, without draining it. This approach not only minimised operational disruptions but also enhanced safety by eliminating the need for human entry into confined spaces.
Key Benefits
- Enhanced Access: The drone’s compact size and agility allowed it to navigate within the tank’s double wall, reaching areas that are challenging for manual inspections.
- Improved Safety: By removing the necessity for human entry, the risk associated with confined space inspections was significantly reduced.
- Increased Efficiency: The ability to perform inspections without draining the tank led to substantial time and cost savings.
This case exemplifies how integrating advanced drone technology into inspection workflows can revolutionise maintenance practices, ensuring safety and efficiency without compromising on data quality.
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