UAS Pipeline Inspection
My group research paper was written on UAS in pipeline inspection. Through researching and writing this paper, I've learned a lot about how UAS are used in pipeline inspection and also have a much better understanding of pipeline inspection.
Pipeline inspection is a dangerous job. Whether the inspection team is going in person or inspections are being performed with a light aircraft, it is dangerous as long as people are being sent out. This is why UAS are becoming the solution for many jobs around the world, including pipeline inspection.
Most pipelines in the United States are underground. This makes it difficult to do inspections as inspectors need to use thermal sensors to be able to see the pipelines. UAS are the best device to use for these inspections because they are cheaper, safer, and more efficient than any other options.
They are cheaper in many ways. It costs less to train someone to operate a UAS than it does to give them the specialty training needed to be around these pipelines. Unmanned vehicles also prevent workers from getting injured. This saves the company money too.
UAS are safer than manned-flights and in-person crews too. They are safer because using unmanned vehicles allows the workers to stay out of harms way while they perform the inspections. Normally inspectors would have to walk the pipelines or hire pilot that had to fly at low altitudes to gather data.
UAS are more efficient because they are better designed for a job like pipeline inspection. Using people and light aircraft in the past was likely because that was the only way these companies could get the inspections done. Now that UAS aren't completely new to the world, they are showing promise as the best way to do these dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs.
Pipeline inspection is a dangerous job. Whether the inspection team is going in person or inspections are being performed with a light aircraft, it is dangerous as long as people are being sent out. This is why UAS are becoming the solution for many jobs around the world, including pipeline inspection.
 |
| UAS with a thermal sensor inspecting above ground pipelines. |
Most pipelines in the United States are underground. This makes it difficult to do inspections as inspectors need to use thermal sensors to be able to see the pipelines. UAS are the best device to use for these inspections because they are cheaper, safer, and more efficient than any other options.
 |
| This is what the pipelines look like under thermal sensors. This makes it easy to see if there are any leaks or damage that needs to be fixed. |
They are cheaper in many ways. It costs less to train someone to operate a UAS than it does to give them the specialty training needed to be around these pipelines. Unmanned vehicles also prevent workers from getting injured. This saves the company money too.
UAS are safer than manned-flights and in-person crews too. They are safer because using unmanned vehicles allows the workers to stay out of harms way while they perform the inspections. Normally inspectors would have to walk the pipelines or hire pilot that had to fly at low altitudes to gather data.
 |
| A pilot doing pipeline inspections with a multispectral sensor. |
UAS are more efficient because they are better designed for a job like pipeline inspection. Using people and light aircraft in the past was likely because that was the only way these companies could get the inspections done. Now that UAS aren't completely new to the world, they are showing promise as the best way to do these dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs.
Comments
Post a Comment