Flying the Mavic inside an empty LPG Gas Tank - is it possible?

[rikk08]

Is it possible to fly the mavic without sensors on inside an empty LPG Gas Tank? It's a huge one with over 1000 sqm but I'm most scared of any intereference especially compass since it is made from some type of aluminun along with other materials. Thanks PS tank will be clean and empty and the reason for flight is inspection. I will probably have to positions myself inside the tank

 

[Deleted member 103366]

I would BE VERY, VERY, VERY WARY of that, if there was the slightest spark, even from static, the drone and everything nearby may end up in orbit.
Besides which would the control signal pass through the tank wall?

 

[Jagerbomb52]

I'm guessing it would be some kind of inspection? If not then I ask WHY

 

[eEridani]

I assume you mean an LPG tank. If the tank weren't properly purged, my guess is the drone wouldn't fly.

LPG - propane mostly, as sar104 corrected me below, dooh, is heavier than air - would probably freak out the flight controller. LNG (where my brain fart went) - mostly methane, is lighter than air and also will probably freak out the FC.

Plus it'll be dark, so explosion proof lighting would be needed, I doubt the drone is certified for flight in an explosive environment, so if in the USA OSHA will be all over you for even trying, etc.

Generally speaking, don't these tanks need to be filled with water before they are inspected?

 

[rikk08]

Youtube

I assume you mean an LPG tank. If the tank weren't properly purged, my guess is the drone wouldn't fly: methane is a lot lighter than a nitrogen-oxygen mix and the flight controller will probably freak. Plus it'll be dark, so explosion proof lighting would be needed, I doubt the drone is certified for flight in an explosive environment, so if in the USA OSHA will be all over you for even trying, etc.

Generally speaking, don't these tanks need to be filled with water before they are inspected?

yeah I mean LPG sorry, updated title & description. Tank will be properly emptied and clean before entering

 

[slozukimc]

I gotta ask; if you can enter the tank why would you need a drone for inspection? Just curious.

 

[eEridani]

I gotta ask; if you can enter the tank why would you need a drone for inspection? Just curious.

Some LPG tanks get pretty large:

 

[slozukimc]

Some LPG tanks get pretty large:

Well then. I didn’t think about being THAT big!

 

[sar104]

I assume you mean an LPG tank. If the tank weren't properly purged, my guess is the drone wouldn't fly: methane is a lot lighter than a nitrogen-oxygen mix and the flight controller will probably freak. Plus it'll be dark, so explosion proof lighting would be needed, I doubt the drone is certified for flight in an explosive environment, so if in the USA OSHA will be all over you for even trying, etc.

Generally speaking, don't these tanks need to be filled with water before they are inspected?

LPG is not methane - it's either propane or butane (or a mixture of those), both of which are heavier than air when gaseous.

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

Mavics probably aren't the ideal drone.
I get some great newsletters from various drone places / training type providers, and names like Flyability come up as the safe solution.
Not sure what they cost, but thinking with nothing on the website, it will be $$$.
Just found a link to a price for Elios 2, and yeah 39000 CHF = about US$40k.

 

[Meta4]

Is it possible to fly the mavic without sensors on inside an empty LPG Gas Tank? It's a huge one with over 1000 sqm but I'm most scared of any intereference especially compass since it is made from some type of aluminun along with other materials.

Aluminium does not affect magnetic sensors.
Inside the tank the drone would have no GPS for horizontal position holding.
The floor of the tank probably wouldn't provide a suitable surface for VPS to work, even if lighting was sufficient.
There are special (translation: expensive) drones made for use in GPS-denied environments.

 

[eEridani]

LPG is not methane - it's either propane or butane (or a mixture of those), both of which are heavier than air when gaseous.

At least I know what early onset ... umm ... what was I thinking of?

 

[rikk08]

I'm guessing it would be some kind of inspection? If not then I ask WHY

Yes inspection purposes and tank will be clean and empty.

Some LPG tanks get pretty large:

Yeah something like this is exactly what I have been talking about. I guess the mavic is not the right tool for the job...

 

[rikk08]

Mavics probably aren't the ideal drone.
I get some great newsletters from various drone places / training type providers, and names like Flyability come up as the safe solution.
Not sure what they cost, but thinking with nothing on the website, it will be $$$.
Just found a link to a price for Elios 2, and yeah 39000 CHF = about US$40k.

This seems like the right drone for the job for sure, I guess it's not safe to do the inspection with a mavic so I'll pass on this job unless the client feels like forking out 50k or something like that

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

This seems like the right drone for the job for sure, I guess it's not safe to do the inspection with a mavic so I'll pass on this job unless the client feels like forking out 50k or something like that

I wonder if anyone hires them out (or other suitable types of drone) ?
Wouldn't be cheap hire, but it could allow the job to be done, you gain the experience, and a possible new client, exposure to the industry.
Obviously it could lead to being able to justify leasing one, oil and gas industry is not stretched for cash for such specialised work.

 

[Blairsville]

If this tank is used for transport purposes, the internal baffling will make your flight impossible.

 

[rikk08]

I wonder if anyone hires them out (or other suitable types of drone) ?
Wouldn't be cheap hire, but it could allow the job to be done, you gain the experience, and a possible new client, exposure to the industry.
Obviously it could lead to being able to justify leasing one, oil and gas industry is not stretched for cash for such specialised work.

The problem is that I don't live in the states, I'm originally from Malta so hiring one will be even more difficult here to do :/ I will try and get in touch with the company though.

 

[MavicAir2Marc]

There are tethered drones built exclusively for that kind of inspection as I recall. They are usually surrounded by a cage and don't use GPS for positioning as I recall. They are purpose built tank inspection drones.

 

[twoblocktom]

What kind of an inspection are you trying to do?
Pressure vessel inspection is covered under API 510.
Undoubtedly visual testing (VT) is a critical part of inspecting a pressure vessel and the requirements for remote VT is covered in that standard other forms of non destructive testing will be required to prove if a vessel is fit for service. Example X-ray (RT) or dye penetrate (PT) for welds and ultrasonic testing (UT) to discover any wall thinning.
After all testing results are gathered they must be compared to previous inspections records to determine if the vessel actually fit for service.

 

[Forensics_Pilot]

There are tethered drones built exclusively for that kind of inspection as I recall. They are usually surrounded by a cage and don't use GPS for positioning as I recall. They are purpose built tank inspection drones.

Your question can simply be answered by saying that you would be using the wrong tool for the job. You will need a drone with a cage and lighting to properly obtain video where cracks can be sufficiently illuminated to make a professional interpretation. Being in this business of vessel inspection, we use the Ethios models that meet our needs and which do not need GPS to operate in a confined space. If you need expert assistance, please feel free to contact me and we can arrange to either perform the inspection or assist you in your camera aided (drone) inspection.