AIS Case Study - Confined Space Leak Survey using Drones

Objective

Confined space drone inspection survey as part of a scheduled asset integrity management programs.

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.

Key Results

Detect, validate, quantify, geo-tag, and report oil leaks from the bearing and casing assembly while flying inside the rotary heater.
Annotated photos of potential leak sources.
Marked-up drawings.
High-definition videos of the observed leak locations.
Quickly, safely and cost effectively locate leaks inside structures
Quantify shut-down work scope.
Save overall labour (cost) and reduce risk using experienced leak detection personnel and dedicated technology.
Expedite maintenance shut-downs through early issue detection in the inspection and test plan (ITP)
Capture visual context of asset integrity issues,
Measure deviation to prioritise and scope repair costs.
Manage occupational risk by eliminating the need for confined space entry of inspection personnel.

Key Challenges

Hazardous Environment

Confined Space.

Hazardous work areas

A Pitch black working environment.
No detailed as-built drawings of the asset.
GPS denied environment.
Tight working space with obstructions.
Working in proximity to protruding surfaces
Working at Height
Noisy environment

AIS Survey Solution

Confined Space Drones

On-board adjustable lighting.
On-board LiDAR scanner to generate a point cloud.
On-board gyro-stabilisation.
Flight referencing the LiDAR point cloud.
Experienced Drone pilots performing precise and accurate flight inside the workspace.
On-board thermography.

Risk Management

AIS is experienced operating drones in hazardous Oil & Gas Process plants and Petroleum Refining Plants.
Comprehensive JSEA Job Safety & Environmental Assessments.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved drone operations risk management system.

Value Added

Risk minimisation

Eliminate requirement for inspection personnel to enter the confined space.

Cost Savings

Significant cost & time saved by eliminating scaffold erection inside the workspace.

Reporting & Data Visualisation

Marked-up conventional 2-D images, video and 360 Degree panoramic SiteView scenes of leak locations.
Contextually rich scene information that facilitate risk assessment and repair action prioritisation.
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

Plant shut-down work-pack collaboration and digital twin reality capture services.
Confined space asset surveys using reality capture sensors on remote operated vehicles: AISS-ROV 360
Regulated Leak Detection And Risk Management (LDAR) monitoring programs.
Inert Gas- Instrument Air, Compressed Air.Ultrasonic Leak Detection.
Flare tip condition monitoring programs.
Gas Turbine Leak Surveys

Client

Gas Fired Power Station

Work Site

510 MegaWatt Power Station

Victoria, Australia

Type of work

Shut-Down Asset Integrity Surveys

Scope of work

On-Site Risk Management, JSEA, Permitting
Leak Detection
Quantification
Leak Risk Assessment
Asset Condition Capture
Contextual Reporting
Repair Action Priority Assessment
Asset Integrity Verification

AIS Elios 3 Confined Space drone with LiDAR