INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CHIMNEY INSPECTION IN WASHINGTON STATE, US
Sector Power Generation
Region North America
During the inspection, the stack’s downstream system was offline and open to the environment during turnaround maintenance activities. This allowed air ingress into the stack, creating vortexes inside the confined space, creating a very challenging environment in which to fly the drone. Furthermore low light, and the added challenge of zero GPS signal inside the stack, meant Cyberhawk’s pilots had to work with an extremely high level of precision during the inspection to ensure a successful end result.
Traditionally, this type of inspection is conducted using a manned basket attached to a large mobile crane, with a technician in the basket lowered into the internal part of the stack. Using this method would have incurred significantly higher costs. In addition, the crane would restrict other work activities in the refinery during a turnaround, creating a negative impact on timescales and potentially extending the shutdown.
UAVs were chosen as the preferred method of inspection primarily to reduce safety risk posed to personnel working at height, as well as the challenges associated with working in confined spaces.
During the inspection, the stack’s downstream system was offline and open to the environment during turnaround maintenance activities. This allowed air ingress into the stack, creating vortexes inside the confined space, creating a very challenging environment in which to fly the drone. Furthermore low light, and the added challenge of zero GPS signal inside the stack, meant Cyberhawk’s pilots had to work with an extremely high level of precision during the inspection to ensure a successful end result.