FLYING ROBOT CHECKS REFINERY FLARE STACK

摘要

A British company has used an unmanned aerial vehicle to inspect a flare stack at an oil and gas refinery in Scotland without shutting down the plant - a world first. The vehicle, loaded with high-definition video and still cameras, flew within metres of the tip of the 100m structure. The drone was operated remotely from the ground and made technical inspection of the flare stack cheaper, safer and quicker, according to the company behind it, Cyberhawk Innovations. It replaced the need for cranes, scaffolding or helicopters that would have been traditionally used to get workers close enough to the flare tips to scrutinise them. Although hiring such equipment can be expensive, the highest costs for refinery operators come from the need to shut down the plant.