Inherently Safe Mobile Platform for Hazardous Tank Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conducting inspections of tanks containing flammable substances is challenging due to safety concerns, as existing methods require decommissioning the tank and are labor-intensive, and there is a need for more efficient and safe methods to perform tasks in hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
A mobile platform is designed to be inherently safe by positioning spark-generating components within enclosures that prevent sparks from igniting energetic substances, using a control unit, marker detector, propulsion system, power supply, and spark-neutralizing bodies to perform tasks within the tank without an active physical connection to the exterior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remotely operated inspection device with an umbilical is used, then human safety is improved by eliminating the need for human work crews inside the tank, but the system complexity increases due to the umbilical connection and inert gas requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the umbilical connection and all associated external support systems (inert gas supply, power transmission, data communication) from the inspection device. This allows the device to operate autonomously inside the tank without physical connections to the exterior, eliminating the complexity of the umbilical system while maintaining safety through intrinsic design features.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device is designed to be self-sufficient with onboard power supply, navigation, and inspection capabilities. It performs all functions autonomously without requiring external control or support systems, thereby eliminating the complexity associated with remote operation while improving safety by removing potential failure points in the umbilical connection.
2Measurement precision
If the tank is decommissioned and emptied for manual inspection, then inspection accuracy is improved by allowing direct access to tank walls, but productivity decreases due to operational disruptions and time-consuming preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection methods with an autonomous mobile inspection device that uses sensors (magnetic, ultrasonic, visual) to detect tank wall conditions. This substitution allows inspections to be conducted without emptying the tank or shutting down operations, maintaining both accuracy and productivity by eliminating the need for mechanical access and human entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device is pre-equipped with all necessary sensors, power supply, and navigation systems before deployment. This preliminary preparation enables the device to conduct comprehensive inspections immediately upon entry, eliminating the time-consuming preparation steps required for manual inspections such as emptying, purging, and setting up external equipment.
3Reliability
If spark-generating components are enclosed to prevent ignition, then safety is improved by preventing spark contact with energetic substances, but device complexity increases due to additional enclosure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spark containment function with the device housing itself. The enclosure is integrated into the basic structure of the mobile platform rather than being added as a separate protective layer, thereby providing spark containment without increasing overall device complexity. The housing serves dual purposes: structural support and safety containment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing a selected task in a tank at least partially filled with an energetic substance includes, in part, configuring a mobile platform to be inherently safe by positioning spark-generating components in either or both of: (i) an inherently safe enclosure that prevents a spark occurring inside the inherently safe enclosure from passing to an exterior of the inherently safe enclosure, and (ii) a spark-neutralizing body formed of at least one non-flammable substance and positioned inside an enclosure, the spark-neutralizing body blocking direct contact between a spark from the enclosed spark-generating component and an energetic substance from occurring inside the at least one enclosure. The method also includes positioning at least one spark-generating component not inside any inherently safe enclosure that prevents a spark occurring inside the inherently safe enclosure from passing to an exterior of the inherently safe enclosure. The sparks are capable of igniting the energetic substances.