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7. 2. 2020
High Voltage Power Lines Inspection Using Thermal Drone
7. 2. 2020Inspection of Hot water and Warm Water Pipes Inspection
Aerial inspection of hot water and warm water pipes primarily cover long-distance pipe systems which are used to transfer fluids with temperatures that are at variance with the ambient air temperature. Thermographic systems capitalize on this fact to identify and locate leaks and defects in pipe insulation. In some cases, it is even possible to identify and locate leaks in subsurface pipelines with aerial inspections.
Pipelines transport a wide variety of substances, including water (hot-water pipes, water pipes), steam (steam lines), petroleum products (oil or gas), and a variety of chemicals used in food production, agriculture, electric power plants, mines, etc. In many cases, pipelines are not only used to transport the substance in question, but to transfer thermal energy bound to the fluid being transferred. This is why the thermal insulation of the pipeline, and any potential loss of pressure within it, is so crucial. The entire transport system must be perfectly sealed, especially leaks do not only lead to the loss of energy and money, but can also create major environmental issues.
A classic camera does not detect defects in pipeline insulation – nor can it identify underground fluid leaks. By detecting places where insulation is thinned or pipe casing is damaged early on, we can prevent major accidents which could cause economic losses and endanger the health and lives of people and animals. These defects can be detected by a thermal camera which scans for the thermal radiation produced by objects. Based on the temperature difference between the pipeline and surface, as well as the experience of a professional operator, otherwise hidden defects can be quickly identified. In underground pipes, hot water leaks heat the ground, so a thermographic camera eliminates the need to dig up kilometers of pipeline to detect a potential leak. Any difference in temperature will reveal thin spots at risk of breaking the pipeline so that early intervention can prevent fatal consequences.
The Workswell WIRIS thermal imaging system is designed to be mounted on a drone (UAV). The assembly is easy and the camera is light, keeping the drone mobile. Furthermore, the system is fully controllable using a conventional RC driver. The WIRIS system includes two cameras – a camera for the visible spectrum that enhances the inspection of visible pipeline defects, and a thermo-camera that detects hidden defects. The controlling software allows remote switching of camera modes, radiometric video shooting, and static image capture in both the visible and infrared spectra. An operator can then see a video feed from the drone in real time. They can also analyze recorded videos or saved images later to identify damaged areas.
