AIS Case Study - Confined Space Leak Survey using Drones
Objective
Confined space drone inspection survey as part of a scheduled asset integrity management programs.
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The Project
This example shows us performing an integrity survey of a vertical shaft bearing assembly on a rotary heater inside a 510-Megawatt gas fired power station.
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Key Results
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Detect, validate, quantify, geo-tag, and report oil leaks from the bearing and casing assembly while flying inside the rotary heater.
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Annotated photos of potential leak sources.
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Marked-up drawings.
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High-definition videos of the observed leak locations.
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Quickly, safely and cost effectively locate leaks inside structures
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Quantify shut-down work scope.
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Save overall labour (cost) and reduce risk using experienced leak detection personnel and dedicated technology.
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Expedite maintenance shut-downs through early issue detection in the inspection and test plan (ITP)
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Capture visual context of asset integrity issues,
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Measure deviation to prioritise and scope repair costs.
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Manage occupational risk by eliminating the need for confined space entry of inspection personnel.
Key Challenges
Hazardous Environment
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Confined Space.
Hazardous work areas
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A Pitch black working environment.
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No detailed as-built drawings of the asset.
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GPS denied environment.
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Tight working space with obstructions.
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Working in proximity to protruding surfaces
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Working at Height
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Noisy environment
AIS Survey Solution
Confined Space Drones
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On-board adjustable lighting.
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On-board LiDAR scanner to generate a point cloud.
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On-board gyro-stabilisation.
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Flight referencing the LiDAR point cloud.
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Experienced Drone pilots performing precise and accurate flight inside the workspace.
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On-board thermography.
Risk Management
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AIS is experienced operating drones in hazardous Oil & Gas Process plants and Petroleum Refining Plants.
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Comprehensive JSEA Job Safety & Environmental Assessments.
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Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved drone operations risk management system.
Value Added
Risk minimisation
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Eliminate requirement for inspection personnel to enter the confined space.
Cost Savings
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Significant cost & time saved by eliminating scaffold erection inside the workspace.
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Reporting & Data Visualisation
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Marked-up conventional 2-D images, video and 360 Degree panoramic SiteView scenes of leak locations.
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Contextually rich scene information that facilitate risk assessment and repair action prioritisation.
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360 Degree panoramic SiteView of the point of interest providing a visual reference for all personnel when developing remediation work scopes.
Related AIS Shutdown Services
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Plant shut-down work-pack collaboration and digital twin reality capture services.
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Confined space asset surveys using reality capture sensors on remote operated vehicles: AISS-ROV 360
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Regulated Leak Detection And Risk Management (LDAR) monitoring programs.
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Inert Gas- Instrument Air, Compressed Air.Ultrasonic Leak Detection.
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Flare tip condition monitoring programs.​
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Gas Turbine Leak Surveys
Contact us to discuss how we can help you with your asset integrity management programs
Client
Gas Fired Power Station
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Work Site
510 MegaWatt Power Station
Victoria, Australia
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Type of work
Shut-Down Asset Integrity Surveys
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Scope of work
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On-Site Risk Management, JSEA, Permitting
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Leak Detection
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Quantification
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Leak Risk Assessment
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Asset Condition Capture
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Contextual Reporting
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Repair Action Priority Assessment
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Asset Integrity Verification