Feb 22, 2023: There is a possibility of explosion in addition to the hazardous gas inside the tanks. Robotics will be used to reduce risk to people, according to Mr. Shekar.
A city-based start-up called Beta Tank Robotics Private Ltd has created a robot that can work in oil tanks at refineries, removing risks for people. It was developed at IIT Guwahati, and Oil India Limited, a state-owned corporation, provided funding for the project.
According to Capt. D.C. Shekar, Director of Beta Tank Robotics Private Ltd., the specialised robot can move from one location to another and performs the task in a manner similar to a vacuum cleaner. There is a possibility of explosion in addition to the hazardous gas inside the tanks. Robotics will be used to reduce risk to people, according to Mr. Shekar.
The risk of fire prevents using regular robots with thermo-motors and electronics within the tanks. Therefore, these robotic streams are hydraulically regulated and powered, which can assist in lowering the exposure to fire danger, he added.
He also said that there might be a need for a few hundred robots in India. The robot's closest competitor is a European model that is more expensive and less portable than the Indian model.
Due to the strict criteria required by the oil business, the robot is currently undergoing a safety check. The upcoming India Energy Week 2023, which takes place in Bengaluru from February 6 to 8, will also feature a demonstration of it.
