Confined Space Drone Inspections with the Elios 2

Performing an inspection of confined spaces can be difficult, costly, and dangerous. Drones are quicker, safer, and can provide better quality inspection data than traditional methods.

Posted by Jason Field · July 1, 2020 · UAV Imaging Inc.

Key takeaways

Performing an inspection of confined spaces can be difficult, costly, and dangerous. Utilizing drones is quicker, safer, and can provide better quality inspection data then traditional collection methods. Contact us today to learn more.

Elios 2

Elios 2 drones are collision-tolerant so they can navigate safely within a confined space without causing damage to the drone, or infrastructure being inspected. The onboard 10k lumens LED light system allows for a higher quality inspection without needing an extra lighting source. The camera records video that is broadcast to the controller that can then be relayed to field monitors or streamed on-line. This allows technicians to direct and monitor the entire operation either on-site, or remotely. When you substitute your traditional methods for confined space drone inspections, the time needed to inspect is cut significantly. The Elios 2 is the state of the art solution that is revolutionizing confined space inspections across a multitude of industries.

Oil and Gas Tanks

80+ ftSome oil and gas tank ceilings stand over 80 feet high with no ambient light — ground traditionally inspected with costly scaffolding, rope and lighting setups the Elios 2 removes.

Elios 2 drone technology is an asset when it comes to inspecting oil and gas tanks. A tank inspection typically includes the visual inspection of piping, welds, overfill protection, gaging systems, as well as a general visual inspection of the inside ceilings and walls. Some of the tank ceilings are over 80 feet high and lack any ambient light, these inspections involve working at height requiring complex scaffolding, rope and lighting setups that are costly, time-consuming and hazardous. Confined space drone inspections can be conducted without having to personnel even enter the tank. The drone is equipped with an onboard lighting system with high resolution sensors allowing crystal clear monitoring of the video feed. This footage can be recorded, and still images can be taken for documentation and off-site review. The bottom line, this method reduces the inspection time, costs and hazards associated with traditional methods of tank inspection. With confined space drone inspections being cheaper, quicker, and safer, they can be done more frequently. More inspections means you may be able to catch minor defects before they become leaks/spills, or lead to more costly shut-downs and repairs.

A collision-tolerant caged Elios 2 drone hovering inside a dark industrial storage tank, its onboard LED array lighting the steel walls and ceiling for inspection.
The caged Elios 2 lights and inspects the interior of an oil and gas tank from the air, so no technician has to enter the confined space.

Safe, Quick, Efficient

Elios 2 drone technology allows an experienced drone technician to perform safe, quick, and efficient inspections of confined spaces. They provide the most intuitive, reliable, and precise confined space drone inspections while keeping your employees safe and on task with their regular job duties. Elios 2 can provide you a flawless inspection of your confined space. Contact us today to see for yourself!

How a confined-space inspection runs No entry, no scaffolding — the drone does the work inside. 1 Deploy Set up at the hatch → 2 Fly inside Caged, collision-tolerant → 3 Capture Lit video & stills → 4 Report Defect map & review
Illustrative workflow: a confined-space drone inspection runs from setup at the hatch through to a documented report — without sending anyone into the vessel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Elios 2 different from a normal drone?
A carbon-fibre cage around the propellers lets the aircraft bump against walls, beams and equipment without losing flight. Optic-flow and lidar-altimeter positioning let it fly indoors where GPS does not work.
What kinds of confined spaces can the Elios 2 inspect?
Storage tanks, pressure vessels, sewers, lift stations, mine shafts, ore passes, stacks, chimneys, large culverts, ductwork and pipe runs above roughly 400 mm diameter.
How long does a typical Elios 2 tank inspection take?
On-site time is typically 4 hours including setup. Flight time inside the tank is 45-90 minutes split across multiple battery packs.
What is the deliverable from an Elios 2 inspection?
4K video walkdown of the interior, HD still photos of every callout, optional radiometric thermal record, marked-up defect map with severity ranking, and a written report.
Book a confined space drone inspection Safe, fast Elios 2 tank and vessel inspections across Alberta — no scaffolding, no entry, full video and defect reporting. Request a quote → or call 587-532-9000