Session: 15-01: Robotic and Automated NDE

Paper Number: 128912

128912 - Piping Inspection Utilizing Pipe Crawlers and 3d Laser Scanners 

Abstract: 

Direct visual testing (VT) is a nondestructive testing technique utilized for surface inspection and evaluation. The specifications of direct visual inspection are defined as placing the eye within 24 inches (600mm) of the surface to be examined, at an angle of not less than 30 degrees, supported by a white light source with a minimum intensity of 100fc (1000 lux). For many industries, direct visual testing presents formidable challenges, as the costs to access the examination area are prohibitively expensive and inherently dangerous, hence the advent of Remote Visual Inspection (RVI).

Remote Visual Inspection (RVI) employs the use of remote operated camera systems including videoprobes, tube cameras, robotic crawlers, pan tilt zoom (PTZ) cameras, uncrewed aerial systems (UASs/drones), and submersible remote operated vehicles (ROVs). The remote nature of the data capture, sophistication of the tooling and skill of the inspector drives safe, efficient, and cost-effective inspections in hazardous, inhospitable, and inaccessible plant systems and components. Moreover, many of these inspection instruments may be deployed with a wide array of payloads delivering manipulators, cleaning apparatuses, and varying sensor technologies to encompass a broader range of mission parameters.

This presentation will highlight our experience deploying pipe crawlers equipped with laser scanning tools to capture geospatial datasets. The crawler may be deployed several hundred feet and enables anomaly detection and measuring without the peripheral costs of digging and trench preparation. The effort provides an efficient means of data collection, drives safety, and delivers actionable results.  

Presenting Author: Ron Kessler Team Industrial Services

Presenting Author Biography: Ron Kessler is the Vice President- Robotic Inspection Solutions for Team Industrial Services.

Ron’s career began in the United States Navy where he served as a Machinist Mate, operating, maintaining, inspecting, and repairing shipboard cryogenic and power plant systems. Immediately following his enlistment, Ron began inspecting power generation and petrochemical assets utilizing robotic camera technology. Over the past 30 years, Ron has worked in varying inspection & reliability roles serving nuclear, fossil, chemical, and refining facilities.

Ron holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and an MBA from Bellarmine University.

Authors:

Ron Kessler Team Industrial Services