The possibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles with infrared (hyperspectral) imaging cameras for monitoring the technical condition of storage tanks

The article discusses the issue of applying new methods for diagnosing and monitoring the technical condition of storage tanks for oil and petroleum products. It is shown that the current tank diagnostics system in the Russian Federation, despite its development and the high efficiency of the diagnostic methods used, is not always capable of promptly identifying new and rapidly developing defects due to the periodic nature of implementation. At the same time, the systems used today for monitoring technical condition of tanks are economically costly. A comparative analysis of the most effective and widespread tank diagnostics methods is conducted. It is demonstrated that the requirements for these control methods limit the possibility of their application for monitoring. The authors proposed to consider unmanned aerial vehicles with cameras for infrared (hyperspectral) imaging as a tool for monitoring the technical condition of tanks. It is established that modern unmanned aerial vehicles possess sufficient technical characteristics for their use in tank diagnostics. A fundamental algorithm for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles with cameras for infrared (hyperspectral) imaging for monitoring the technical condition of storage tanks is proposed. The main problems and tasks that need to be addressed in further research to implement the method proposed by the authors are highlighted.

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