Vertech has performed UAV inspection surveys for valued clients on several projects, with particular expertise in Flare Tip Replacement (FTR) scopes.
Considered one of the century’s most resourceful and multipurpose innovations, UAVs have managed to perforate numerous segments of the global economic sphere.
The market for commercial drones continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Vertech acknowledged early in the development of this market that technology was rapidly changing, and early capital investment in technology was going to be counterproductive as the evolution of equipment progressed almost exponentially.
Our goal is always to provide our clients with the best inspection equipment. Therefore, a management decision was made to ensure we were not backed into the corner of using sub-standard equipment for our UAV Inspections.
To provide the best service with the most up-to-date equipment, Vertech has partnered on several occasions with Autonomous Technology to offer equipment solutions. Autonomous Technology are specialists in this field and market leaders who continuously invest in the R&D of their bespoke UAV systems using self-designed 3D printed parts.
As part of Vertech’s goal to provide innovative access solutions, we can offer clients fully integrated UAV inspection solutions, including AICIP-qualified pilots, to ensure that inspection requirements are met most cost-effectively and safely. All of Vertech’s pilots are trained and certified by CASA and licensed to fly all multi-rotors under 7kg in weight.
FTR Project for a valued client
One of our recent UAV inspections was part of a Flare Tip Replacement project (FTR).
The project involved two trained (CASA) and experienced UAV operators. The UAV campaign was supervised, and the client’s construction engineer reviewed the inspection data onsite.
Vertech has experience working on oil and gas facilities and, as such, adopts controls to ensure that potential risks associated with the operation of UAVs in a hazardous environment are reduced to ALARP.
Dropped Object Prevention
Several active and passive controls must be implemented to mitigate the risk of dropped objects to ALARP. These include:
- Pre-mobilisation system checks and test flight
- Pre-flight checks
- Only operating within CASA license conditions
- Using a proven and reliable aircraft with multiple redundancies
Potential ignition sources
There is no UAV currently on the market that can claim to be Intrinsically Safe (IS). While our commonly used industrial UAV is not IS, once the battery is connected (In a safe area outside the process environment), there is a negligible risk of a spark.
Controls in place to mitigate this risk include:
- Ensuring the battery is never inserted or removed in a potentially hazardous environment
- Monitoring and operating to weather conditions (mainly wind) to identify safe areas
- Placing and monitoring gas detectors near any process pipework or area of inspection
Flight Management Plan
The equipment was set up in the northeast corner of the cellar deck.
This provided a clear take-off platform and line of sight of the flare structure. Before flight commencement, a pre-flight check was performed to ensure all controls and communications systems were operational.
Before the commencement of a UAV flight, the central control room and radio room were notified and permission for the flight was granted; once all remote flight operations had been finalised, the facility radio room and central control room were informed that all flight operations had ceased.
Outcome
This offshore survey was extended for 2 x 12-hour shifts due to wind conditions being significantly out of the UAV capabilities (35 knots).
The survey was completed when the wind conditions eased to 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots (incidentally, this pushes the upper boundaries even for industrial equipment). Vertech’s faith in Autonomous Technology Equipment was well founded with the UAV’s stability in these exceptional conditions.
Image & Video Technology and Specifications:
Gyro stabilised camera mount, isolated mechanically from the drone – ensuring a clear image with no motion blur.
- Image sensor size: Full frame 35mm (42MP max).
- Optical zoom is preferred and utilised when possible to ensure the clearest possible image.
- Active image stabilisation provides a steady, clear image and video capture.
- 4K Video Recording: Enabled further zoom capabilities using post-processing software.
- Variety of lens filters: Used to match lighting conditions and improve clarity.
Classification
Vertech has recently gained class accreditation with IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) member ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) for “remote inspection techniques: UAV inspection“.
This allows Vertech and the attending ABS Surveyor to inspect the internal structure of ballast/cargo tanks and external ship structure (including classed items such as helidecks, cranes, turret structure, etc.) using UAVs on vessels classed with ABS.
Access to this capability means that Vertech can develop the use of UAVs whilst having complete accreditation to utilise the current technology with successfully audited safe work methods and QMS framework.
Vertech is the only company in Australasia to achieve this ABS “approved external specialist” accreditation.
For more information on how we can help and provide you with a UAV Inspection solution, please get in touch with us via the contact page.
