Skyriders uses drones to complete boiler inspection at Medupi
January 2019
News
One of the largest boiler inspections ever undertaken using drones in South Africa was recently completed by Skyriders on Unit 6 at Eskom’s Medupi Power Station. The project was distinguished by its sheer size, with Unit 6 a towering 80 metres high. In addition, a full internal inspection had to be conducted of the entire furnace area, from the bottom all the way up to the super heater elements. This was especially important as it was the first time that the boiler had been inspected thoroughly since start up.
Skyriders’ marketing manager Mike Zinn explains that from the outset the decision was to deploy the company’s proprietary Elios collision-tolerant drone technology. Imported from Switzerland, the hi-tech drone includes a full HD camera, a thermal camera, and an on-board LED lighting system with remotely adjustable intensity. The drone can be brought into inaccessible places up to many hundred metres beyond line of sight due to the wireless communications system and live video feedback. The collision-tolerance feature means it can enter furnace areas easily, and even go right up to a burner for close inspection, without any danger of crashing or causing damage.
The drone was operated by trained pilots, accompanied by a Level 2 boiler inspector, obviating the risk of any staff having to enter the boiler themselves and also making the inspection much quicker to perform. Skyriders opted to use SkyEye technology because it is designed specifically for such arduous conditions. First of all, the boiler was switched off, and subjected to a forced cooling period so that the drone could enter safely. Thereafter, the drone was piloted inside in order to carry out a full boiler inspection.
For more information contact Mike Zinn, Skyriders, +27 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Dr Adwoa Boaduo, group head of safety at Rosond, sees an opportunity to challenge outdated perceptions about women in mining and engineering.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