The Role of Drones in Industrial Non-Destructive Testing

By using the Voliro T drone for the Non-Destructive Testing of a flare stack, Acuren delivered a safer, faster, and more cost-effective solution to a California refinery Feature Article by Voliro

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The Role of Drones in Non-Destructive Testing Inspections
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Voliro’s advanced aerial robotics technology is transforming Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspections.

Inspecting tall structures traditionally requires scaffolding or rope access, both of which are costly, time-intensive, and risky for human inspectors working at heights.

Designed to perform precise, contact-based inspections, Voliro drones are equipped with various NDT and Lightning Protection System (LPS) sensors. These drones enhance safety, efficiency, and accuracy, addressing a wide range of inspection needs.

Acuren: Non-Destructive Testing and Industrial Services

Acuren is a provider of NDT and rope access industrial services serving over 8,650 customer sites through a workforce of 5,300+ employees across more than 90 locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

By leveraging advanced technology and optimizing access methods, Acuren minimizes the need for scaffolding and frequently performs inspections without requiring plant shutdowns. Inspections that once took days can now often be completed in just hours.

Acuren Stack Inspection

Case Study: Acuren’s Innovative Flare Stack Inspection

Acuren used the Voliro T drone, equipped with a UT payload, to conduct a thickness measurement inspection on an in-service 200-foot flare stack at a California refinery.

The inspection’s objective was to gather critical data before the facility’s next planned turnaround, presenting a major improvement over traditional methods that require shutdowns.

The Voliro T drone completed the inspection in just 2 hours, a dramatic improvement compared to the typical 3-day timeframe required with cranes and technicians. Traditional methods also necessitate taking the stack out of service, a step avoided by employing the drone-based solution.

Voliro T drone inspecting a stackThis innovative approach saved the refinery considerable downtime and operational costs, including approximately $150,000 in crane rentals and labor expenses.

Additionally, it enhanced safety by minimizing personnel exposure to hazardous conditions and ensured smoother operations during the turnaround.

The refinery expressed high satisfaction with the reduced downtime and the improved data quality obtained through Acuren’s cutting-edge methods. This successful implementation demonstrated how advanced technology can improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety in industrial inspections.

Posted by William Mackenzie Will is a Content Specialist at Unmanned Systems Technology. Joining in 2024 with a background in professional copywriting and content marketing, Will covers the latest advancements in robotics, sensors, and unmanned systems across land, air, and maritime domains. His writing brings a clear, informed perspective to emerging technologies and their applications in both commercial and defense markets. Connect
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