Electrocomponents, the holding company for RS Components, is helping to revolutionise the way periodic inspections of petrochemical storage tanks are carried out, in order to reduce the hazards, environmental impact, and associated costs. Project nautilUS is a UK-based consortium championed by several leading global companies and institutions which have been working together since February 2018 to design and develop a certified non-destructive testing solution.
Oil and fuel storage requires a robust and reliable infrastructure, with regular inspection being critical to ensure that tanks are fit for purpose. Existing inspection methods often result in storage tanks being taken out of service to be drained and inspected for corrosion, which is hazardous, time-consuming and costly work.
The nautilUS solution addresses these issues head-on, in the form of a small robot which can monitor and plot its own position whilst carrying out corrosion inspection. The robot uses active real-time remote controls to move around a tank, and an ultrasound probe to take measurements of floor thinning. It then records data regarding location for post-processing after the robot is retrieved. The design aims to obtain the smallest possible footprint to allow entry via the smallest manholes of liquid storage tanks. For the robot to perform an inspection in an explosive and flammable environment, the robot’s operation must avoid sparking, which can create an explosion in the tank due to heat and the presence of vapour. As well as offering ease of use and unique movement capabilities, the technology can also be applied to the inspection of ship-borne fuel and water storage tanks.
Michael Burrows, senior innovation advisor at Electrocomponents, said: “As well as our responsibilities around IP and commercialisation for nautilUS, we carried out a very extensive piece of work, called a Quality Functional Deployment (QFD) model, ahead of the project, where we went out to over 100 current users and tank farm operators to uncover their list of requirements. We needed to know what the must-haves were and this helped to shape the ergonomics, the ease of use, the size, the deployment, and the ability to deploy with limited people.”
RS South Africa shapes future engineering talent RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa is demonstrating that nurturing future engineers goes beyond traditional classrooms or competitions. On STEM Day, the company shone a light on the full spectrum of its educational initiatives.
Read more...Windows tablets for Zone 1/21, Zone 2/22 and mining Extech Safety Systems
IS & Ex
Extech is expanding its portfolio with the Windows-based tablets IS945.1, IS945.2, and IS945.M1. For the first time, EX certification is combined with full Windows compatibility, without compromising on software or security.
Read more...The smart choice for test and measurement solutions RS South Africa
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
As the demand for precision and efficiency continues to grow across industries, RS PRO, the own brand of RS, provides a complete portfolio of test and measurement equipment engineered to meet the highest standards of performance, safety and value.
Read more...Building resilient supply chains through smarter e-procurement RS South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
In a time of constant disruption, from supply chain uncertainty to rising operational costs, businesses that embrace digital procurement are better positioned to stay competitive and resilient.
Read more...MRO inventory optimisation RS South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Maintenance, repair and operations inventory optimisation is not just a technical concern, it is a strategic priority for industries that depend on operational reliability and efficiency.
Read more...Safe solar light for 150 000 people across Africa RS South Africa
News
RS Group has announced a partnership with international development charity, SolarAid to deliver clean, safe solar lights to 150 000 people living in rural communities across Africa without access to electricity.
Read more...RS South Africa shines spotlight on MRO procurement RS South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
RS South Africa has highlighted the growing pressures faced by procurement professionals responsible for maintenance, repair and operations supplies across the country’s vital economic sectors.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version