MIDSTREAM & PIPELINES
It’s Time to Move on From Dangerous Tank Cleaning Procedures OGI sits down with Fintan Duffy, Managing Director of Re-Gen Robotics Ltd, who are revolutionizing the safety of tank cleaning with their ‘No Man Entry’ automated tank cleaning system. Mr Duffy is here to dig deeper with us so we can find out more about this award winning solution and how it will disrupt the tank cleaning industry. OGI: Could you start by explaining Re-Gen Robotics’ credentials and experience in terms of your products and services for the oil and gas sector? Could you tell our readers the breadth of your experience, how long the company has been active, and its reach? Duffy: Re-Gen Robotics is the first and only Zone 0 EX certified, remote controlled, ‘No Man Entry’ robotic tank cleaning company, in Europe. Launched in Spring 2019, our vision is to become the most efficient, safe and reliable tank cleaning service provider to the petrochemical industry, distinguishing ourselves from competitors through our excellent health and safety performance. Within less than a year of launching, Re-Gen Robotics won the Safety Technology Award at the 2020 Global Tank Storage Awards, in Rotterdam, on 10th of March. Re-Gen Robotic’s technology and service was recognised for revolutionising safety in the tank terminal industry. Over the last year we have worked with some of the benchmark oil majors, who are embracing our state-of-the-art, tank cleaning robots. These industry leaders are committed to enhancing safety and productivity in their operations and will no longer tolerate commissioning manned
crews, to clean tanks in environments that are too hazardous to be undertaken by field personnel. Re-Gen Robotics has the solution for nonman entry tank cleaning. The robots are designed to operate in the most inhospitable environments and with specialised access cranes, remote camera systems and engineering expertise, any size or shape of tank can be cleaned. OGI: What are some of the dangers associated with man-entry tank cleaning procedures? Duffy: Tank entry is widely recognised as being one of the most hazardous operations in the tank cleaning business and every year as many as 200 people across Europe, lose their lives working in confined spaces. Traditionally personnel have been required to enter hazardous oil tank environments to implement inspections, desludge and clean for product change. Seven main causes of confined space accidents are listed as asphyxiation, poisoning, engulfment, oxygen deficiency, drowning, explosion, and electrocution. Although safety regulations and industry standards are high, occasionally fatal accidents do occur, owing to human error and failure of safety devices.
Fintan Duffy, Managing Director, Re-Gen Robotics Limited. Current Health & Safety legislation stipulates that ‘a person shall not carry out work in confined spaces, if it is reasonably practical that it can be avoided’. Companies can no longer afford to be negligent where human life is concerned and fortunately, there is a very real appetite across the board for new, safer methods of cleaning, inspection and assessment. Almost ALL personnel who die in confined spaces are trying to rescue other workers who fainted due to lack of oxygen or exposure to toxic gases. OGI: Could you explain in detail automated tank cleaning? The processes, what is involved, costs etc? Duffy: By sending our revolutionary robots into dangerous confined spaces, clients are not only eliminating the dangers and liabilities associated with confined space entry but are also saving time, money and reducing operational downtime for their tanks. Re-Gen Robotic’s unique, closed loop cleaning system can reduce cleaning time by up to 45 per cent, significantly decreasing downtime and loss of production whilst oil tanks are not operational. The tank is brought back into operation quicker and reduces the need for additional tank capacity, permit delays and additional support teams. Safety and protection of personnel during tank cleaning services are of the utmost importance. At no time during the ReGen Robotics cleaning process is there a requirement for human presence in the confined storage container. Our technical operator remains a safe distance away in the Zone 1 control unit, where they can monitor activity and progress, through a series of ATEX cameras fixed to the robot, inside the tank being cleaned.
Re-Gen Robotics’ Robot.
