Skyriders provides NDT inspection at Eskom power stations
May 2018
News
Rope access specialist Skyriders has been honing its non-destructive testing (NDT) expertise since 2002, having received approval from Eskom to conduct this specialist service at its power-station fleet.
NDT forms part of a holistic wear failure system that Eskom has in place for the maintenance and repair programme at its power stations. This ranges from visual inspection through to ultrasonic wall-thickness measurement (UT) and dye-penetrant or magnetic particle testing, to name a few. “All of these inspection methods are aimed at determining the current condition and any defects in the various components,” explains Skyriders marketing manager, Mike Zinn.
As a large electricity utility, Eskom has rigorous processes and procedures with regard to repair and maintenance. While the bulk of its NDT services are provided by contractors using traditional scaffolding, Skyriders comes into its own where confined spaces and difficult to reach areas are concerned.
The bulk of Skyriders’ work for Eskom is based on UT wall-thickness measurement and visual inspection, with dye-penetrant and magnetic particle testing a close second.
The importance of NDT for maintenance purposes is underlined by the fact that, if a power-station boiler experiences a tube rupture due to wear, it can cause extensive damage, which necessitate a shutdown for inspection and repair. This can translate into load losses for the national grid.
Skyriders offers a full suite of inspection services, from NDT to rope access. Its in-house expertise includes concrete repair, confined spaces, painting, bolting, rigging and welding, general work at height and the use of collision tolerant drones. “Our technicians are not only qualified and highly skilled in rope access, but also have expertise in critical inspection methodologies such as NDT,” concludes Zinn.
For more information contact Mike Zinn, Skyriders, +27 (0)11 312 1418, [email protected], www.ropeaccess.co.za
Further reading:
Women belong at the heart of mining engineering
News
Dr Adwoa Boaduo, group head of safety at Rosond, sees an opportunity to challenge outdated perceptions about women in mining and engineering.
Read more...
ACTOM invests in South Africa’s industrial future
News
ACTOM has transformed its Pretoria West facility into an integrated manufacturing hub for large power transformers, high-voltage equipment and lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, quadrupling transformer capacity and establishing a complete local energy storage ecosystem.
Read more...
WEG’s technologies at Electra Mining Africa 2026
News
At Electra Mining Africa 2026, WEG Africa will showcase its top solutions services, and expertise built for the mining sector.
Read more...
SA’s future engineers in action
News
AvenirHoldings sponsors the 2026 SAICE Aqualibrium Schools Competition, supporting young engineering talent across South Africa and Eswatini.
Read more...
Rooibos heads to space in groundbreaking South African STEM initiative
News
Rooibos seeds will be sent to the International Space Station as part of a first-of-its-kind South African initiative combining space-based plant science with hands-on STEM education for learners in the Cederberg region and Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Turning the tide
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Our last few Sustainable Manufacturing guides have tracked the changes in the energy industry in South Africa. This year, I found that the story has moved on still further.
South Africa’s manufacturing
...
Read more...
Engineering a more inclusive future
News
Women engineers at Zutari are helping shape resilient communities across Africa and the Middle East, while inspiring the next generation to enter the profession in areas ranging from water security to large-scale urban developments.
Read more...
Schneider Electric inspires future women engineers
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric welcomed female engineering students from its education partner Sedibeng TVET College, Sebokeng to its Midrand headquarters for its Mandela Day Mentorship Café initiative, transforming a day of service into a day of inspiration, learning and opportunity.
Read more...
Supporting an inclusive circular economy transition in South Africa
News
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation has released its Circular Economy Science, Technology and Innovation strategy. The document sets out how research, development and innovation can support South Africa’s shift away from a linear economic model.
Read more...
Why sustainability and resilience matter more than ever to navigate the ESG backlash
News
ESG, once heralded as a pragmatic framework for embedding long-term resilience into business, is facing growing resistance. The backlash we are seeing may appear reactionary, but it should not distract us from the facts. In this climate, I often find myself returning to the core purpose behind sustainability - creating long-term value in a world of escalating uncertainty.
Read more...
printer friendly version