Robotic inspection with Re-Gen

NO ENTRY

CLEANING • THE FIRST REMOTE-CONTROLLED, TANK CLEANING SERVICE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO PROVIDE A SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT METHOD, REMOVING THE NEED FOR ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY

RE-GEN ROBOTICS HAS introduced the British Isles’ first and only ‘No Man Entry’ robotic tank cleaning company. Two Ex Zone 0 rated machines have been purpose-built with an investment of £1.5m by the sister company of Re-Gen Waste. The two robots have specific tasks – one is designed to de-sludge, wash and clean large tanks, while the second is a lightweight and portable compact unit suitable way, using technology that meets the highest safety standards in the industry.”

A NEW APPROACH The unique, closed-loop system that Re-Gen Robotics uses is fully compliant with existing safety legislation. Additionally, use of the robots can reduce cleaning time by up to 45 per cent, providing a significant decrease in the amount of downtime required and cutting the loss of production in a scenario where facilities cannot be operational.

“At no time during the Re-Gen Robotics cleaning process will there be a need for human presence in the confined storage container. Our technical operator remains a safe distance away in the Zone 2 control unit, where they can monitor activity and progress through a series of ATEX cameras fixed to the equipment placed inside the tank being cleaned,” says Duffy.

“There is no human exposure to sludge or waste materials during the cleaning process and, once cleaning is complete, the robot safely washes itself down, exits the container via its ramp and is returned to the control unit. This is particularly significant as the current health and safety legislation states that ‘a person shall not carry out work in confined spaces if it is reasonably practical that it could be avoided’.”

As manual tank cleaning methods remain common practice across the UK and Ireland, it is hoped that the introduction of this new technology will make tank cleaning safer and more efficient. The stakes are incredibly high when it comes to dealing with personal safety.

“Companies cannot afford to be negligent where human life is concerned,” says Duffy. “As well as the obvious tragedy and impact on family when a life is lost, there is a negative impact to companies associated with loss of life through confined space working; there is damage to organisational reputation, company and shareholder value and the risk of corporate manslaughter charges to consider.” HCB www.regenrobotics.com

for use on smaller sites and underground storage tanks and containers, including filling station forecourts, interceptors and process tanks.

The equipment is effective, reliable and provides predictable cleaning times , says Re-Gen. The efficacy of the system means the tank is brought back into operation rapidly and reduces the need for additional tank capacity, permitting delays and additional support teams.

The aim of Re-Gen Robotics is to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, industry fatalities across the British Isles. “Every year as many as 25 people in Ireland and the UK lose their lives working in confined spaces,” says Fintan Duffy, Re-Gen Robotics’ managing director. “Exposure to hazardous petrochemicals, heat stress and slips or falls are the main risks faced by workers who manually clean oil tanks. With Re-Gen Robotics, tanks can be automatically cleaned fast, in a predictable

ALL SIZES OF TANK CAN NOW BE CLEANED WITH NO