Visual inspection robot in use at nuclear power plants
Cooling systems play a crucial role in the safety of energy generation in a nuclear power plant, which is why they are checked regularly. This was also the case with the emergency cooling system at a European power plant, where a pipe robot from INSPECTOR SYSTEMS was used to carry out a visual inspection to detect and measure defects. The total length of the 10-inch pipeline to be inspected, divided into test routes, was over 160 m and included numerous 45° / 90° bends and vertical sections.
Inspector Systems develops and supplies numerous customized robots for Framatome
To ensure the safe and continuous operation of a nuclear power plant, normal wear and tear and ageing of plant components require a continuous quality assurance process. This includes preventive measures such as monitoring, inspections, maintenance, etc., which must be carried out on the plant components either permanently or periodically. This results in maintenance measures such as repairs or replacements and may affect individual components in a nuclear power plant or lead to a comprehensive strategy for multiple nuclear power plants of the same design. Depending on the complexity of the repair or replacement of components, the services to be provided include preliminary investigations. Such as feasibility analysis, development of special tools, qualifications and execution of repair/replacement work, etc.
INSPECTOR SYSTEMS carries out demanding internal weld seam processing in Greece and the USA
Over the past year, INSPECTOR SYSTEMS has completed two technically extremely demanding maintenance projects on two continents: one at the Greek alumina plant of METLEN Energy & Metals (Agios Nikolaos) on behalf of Mytilineos S.A., and the other at the large Simplot Phosphates LLC site in Utah (USA) as part of a Paradigm/Simplot project. In both cases, the focus was on the mechanical repair of circumferential welds (girth welds) in large-scale piping systems with the aim of sustainably optimizing structural integrity, media flow and operational safety.
Inspection of a reservoir bottom outlet pipe for wall thickness reductions
Special requirements call for special efforts...as was the case in the Austrian part of the Allgäu Alps, more precisely in the Tannheimer Valley, a unique mountain landscape in one of the most beautiful high valleys in Europe. As we all know, electricity comes from the socket, even in the Tannheimer Valley, but somewhat differently than in other regions. This is because most of the electricity required by the surrounding communities is supplied by two small hydroelectric power plants, both of which are powered by natural flow of the water.
Whether nuclear power plants in France, Switzerland or England, chemical plants in Canada and Greece or hydroelectric power in Austria – the demand for safety and sustainability is growing worldwide and will become even more important in the coming years.
The projects described in this issue demonstrate our commitment to ensuring safety and reliability in a wide range of industrial sectors with INSPECTOR SYSTEMS' pipe robot technology. We also develop new, innovative processing, inspection and testing methods when the situation requires it in cooperation with our customers.