Regular flare stacks inspection and maintenance is critical in ensuring efficient, safe and reliable operation. It is advisable to follow an established procedure with a regular schedule and proper safety and health regulations in every flare stack inspection.

Usually, every organisation will require a customised inspection solution. However, some of the standard inspection processes include cable, bolt, and guy-wire inspection as well as stack thickness testing, lubrication and servicing. Others include anchor bolt inspection, outer stack repair and inspection, and guy-wire tension settings.

The collection of detailed data is required in the form of optimal imagery in every flare stack inspection. This data collection involves situations that require fast flight control responsiveness as flare stack generates extreme heat. Therefore, conducting this inspection process with human inspectors poses high risks that may result from potential human error, personal injury and significant productivity downtime. The problem can be solved by outsourcing the work to a reliable surveying company that is good in aerial surveying using drones.

Why use UAVs or Drones for flare stack inspections?

There are several benefits of using drones for flare stack inspections. These include:

1. Precise and safe data collection

Aerial inspection using UAVs helps in eliminating the risk to human inspectors and allows for fast and precise inspection of damage to the flare stack operation in even hidden spaces. Besides, drone checks provides easier, affordable and quieter option as compared to small aircraft and helicopters that are sometimes used for inspections.

2. Instant data delivery

The drone technology allows for detailed and accurate collection as well as instant transmission of data for analysis and reporting. This allows for speedy decision making in responding to damages that affect the operation of flare stack.

3. Minimizes the down time

The aerial inspection takes less time as compared to human inspection, which requires inspectors to climb challenging and high structures. This complicated process takes longer than aerial inspection. Moreover, drones are better for inspection as they are capable of operating with less down time especially in different weather and situational conditions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, manual flare stack inspection is a costly, risky and a time-consuming process. Aerial inspection using drones offers detailed images of the components of the stack without requiring the inspector to climb the stacks. However, it is advisable to get a professional and reliable surveying company if you want to conduct industrial inspections.