Chemical Engineering December 2020 - 13

Mitsubishi
FIGURE 4. A prototype similar to the robot shown
here can move autonomously through a refinery
sales manager Brent Bonner, such
as ultrasonic testing for corrosion.
Two robot models use different
mechanisms - vacuum suction and
magnets - to hold onto vertical or inverted
surfaces. One model features
active sliding suction for smooth surfaces,
such as stainless steel, aluminum
and composites, while another
model adds rare-earth-element permanent
magnets that keep the robots
on the surface of lined or coated
surfaces for which suction is not effective.
The robots have been used to
inspect storage tanks, reactors, spray
dryers and others, Bonner reports.
Hazardous environments
Robots are becoming the go-to technology
for hazardous areas. ExRobotics
B.V. (Delft, the Netherlands;
www.exrobotics.global) has developed
remote-controlled robots specifically
for hazardous environments
(Figure 3). ExRobotics has partnered
with Yokogawa to offer the world's
first robot with IECEx Zone 1 certification
for commercial use. Known
as ExR-1, this robot can be used to
assess an incident at a CPI site before
taking action, and to perform
preventative maintenance by regular
inspection rounds. Because data can
be gathered more systematically, the
need to have a human operator in the
field is minimal, the company says.
ExRobotics was established in
2017 to commercialize robotics
technology for use in potentially explosive
atmospheres found at oiland-gas
production and processing
facilities, which are often in remote
locations with harsh environments.
Equipment operating in these hazardous
environments must adhere
to IECEx Zone 1 requirements. The
ExR-1 can be equipped with a range
of sensors and cameras, has 4G
LTE wireless network capabilities,
and can be monitored and operated
from a laptop, tablet or smartphone
by an operator located in a safe control
room anywhere in the world.
Users can realize safety improvements
by having fewer people in
hazardous locations, more cost-effective,
frequent and reliable inspections
of facilities; and reliable execuSMP
Robotics
FIGURE 5. Working together, groups of autonomous
robots, can provide plant security
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Chemical Engineering December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering December 2020
