By Mat Khaloobagheri

Acetake Group and Avestec, a Canadian tech company, offer an innovative robotic technology for inspection of hazardous spaces, both onshore and offshore, such as storage tanks and stiffeners in various industries including oil and gas, mining and so on.

Inspections of these spaces are unsafe, expensive and time-consuming. Avestec introduces Intelligent Aerial Inspection as a revolutionary approach, which offers accurate surface inspection to fulfill mandatory inspection standards, known as API standards.

The Technology

To address the risks and shortcomings associated with conventional methods, Acetake Group and Avestec offers a new methodology for inspection of tanks and confined spaces – the ability to provide accurate surface inspection. This is implemented by a unique and proprietary robotic drone which can execute non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection. The patent pending drone technology offers various NDT sensors:

• Coating sensor
• Surface profilometry
• Ultrasound thickness (UT) with liquid couplant
• Capable of surface cleaning prior to the measurement.

The sensors are modular and can be changed due to the type of the inspection. The sensors are also capable of moving in three directions, which offers an opportunity to inspect a reasonable area for every spot.

• Complementary sensors include:
• HD imaging sensor with variety of lenses
• Video camera
• Thermal sensor
• High intensity LEDs
• Gas sensors

How does it add value?

Safety

Inspections of these spaces are unsafe, expensive and time-consuming. Avestec introduces Intelligent Aerial Inspection as a revolutionary approach, which offers accurate surface inspection to fulfill mandatory inspection standards, known as API standards.

Cost

The technology reduces cost and time of inspection process, eliminates accessibility challenges and provides an opportunity for in-service inspection. This results in a reduction in downtime and an increase in productivity.

Clear Visual Evidence

The platform is also equipped with visual cameras for the pilot and inspector. The Inspector has remote access to a high definition camera to take pictures and videos and conduct NDT measurement independently from the pilot. The inspector’s camera is attached to the platform using Avestec-gimbal to capture stable pictures and videos. Various lenses can be also used on the visual camera for different missions.

Strategic Partnership

Acetake Group and Avestec’s strategic partnership allows both of us to leverage the synergies available across both companies to access untapped resources. Our partnership will grant us exclusive access to Avestec’s service and can offer this service to our clients for a more technologically advanced inspection process. Acetake Group’s experienced team will help you through the process – starting from explaining the technology to collecting and communicating the evidence throughout the inspection process.