Written by Scott Schreeg | Technical
Unmanned aerial vehicles, more commonly known as drones, are bringing tremendous value to various petroleum industries. A drone’s versatility and ability to capture high-resolution images has created a growing market for industrial drone inspections. These inspections can provide power plants with thermal imaging, so teams can safely identify issues. Further, drones help a team analyze their noise footprint, making it easy to prioritize noise control. As such, these inspections could mark the beginning of a new era for industrial campuses.
Mapping Abilities
Oil and gas refineries are among the increasing number of companies that are reaping the benefits of industrial drone inspection. The petroleum industry uses drones to perform inspections as well as obtain thermal images of important system components that are difficult to reach with conventional methods.
Drone inspection can produce a high-quality snapshot of the system for evaluation. They make it possible to map out large areas of pipelines far more efficiently than driving around in a traditional vehicle. The aerial view allows engineers to easily identify potential problems area or leaks in the system. As such, teams spend less time tracking down issues and more time making the necessary repairs.
Saves Time and Increases Productivity
Additionally, thanks to thermal imaging providing a more detailed map of the systems and potential problems, routine monitoring becomes safer and more efficient. This allows teams to better implement preventative maintenance. These safety measures will lead to less downtime, which results in higher productivity levels. Industrial drone inspections are a smart investment for any company with a power plant.
Keeps Workers Safe
Worker safety is another major concern in industrial system management. Your most valuable asset is your workforce, and drone inspections can help ensure their safety. Industrial drone inspections allow a team to monitor dangerous areas within the refinery from a secure location. This helps limit the risk that comes with sending workers into hazardous zones to assess a problem. As drones and other unmanned technologies become more prevalent in industrial settings, gas and oil companies will likely experience a decrease in worker injury.