Namibian copper refinery uses drone, abseiling team for maintenance
The remote location, about 430 km north of the capital Windhoek, combined with the height of the structure, meant that traditional scaffolding posed a logistical challenge, Skyriders Marketing Manager Mike Zinn highlights. In January, Skyriders Access Specialists teamed up with Nyeleti Consulting to inspect the smokestack.
The solution was a combination of a drone to inspect the smokestack internally, and rope access to perform all external inspection, as well as core sampling. Based on these collated findings, DPMT put the cleaning project out to tender, which was awarded subsequently to Skyriders.
The Canadian-owned DMPT copper refinery requires periodic inspection of the structural integrity of its smokestack and related areas. “Between our expert technicians and Nyeleti’s engineering experience, we were able to determine precisely what would be needed during the upcoming maintenance period, and draft a detailed report for the client,” Zinn explains.
Due to the potential loss of production incurred by any downtime, Skyriders awaited the planned shut-down specified by DPMT, with the actual maintenance work carried out in May 2018. “Our team received all the necessary permits, and was ready to go as soon as the shutdown commenced. While this mitigated costs for the client, it also created a deadline challenge for the team,” Zinn notes.
The initial inspection revealed ash build-up from free gases inside the smokestack, which can restrict the airflow necessary to vent the internal gases. This build-up therefore had to be cleared. The team of six, comprising two Level 3 supervisors and four Level 2 technicians, accessed the top of the smokestack before drilling and placing anchor points into the structure, from which rigging ropes could be deployed to abseil to the areas that required cleaning.
Now cleaned and with no impeded airflow, the smokestack is ready for a few more years of uninterrupted service life. “Skyriders has a highly satisfied client in DPMT, which indicated its satisfaction at the proactive approach adopted to its specific inspection and maintenance requirements,” Zinn concludes.
Ends
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Notes to the Editor
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About Skyriders
Skyriders (Pty) Ltd, established in 1998, is a leader in the South African rope access industry, providing cost- and time-saving solutions to clients in the power generation and petrochemical industries who require rope access aided inspection, NDT and maintenance work to be done in difficult to reach, high-up locations.
Skyriders Contact
Mike Zinn
Skyriders Marketing Manager
Phone: (011) 312 1418
Email: mike [at] ropeaccess [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ropeaccess.co.za
Media Contact
Nomvelo Buthelezi
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 083 4088 911
Email: nomvelo [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
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