Inspecting an industrial chimney is a delicate operation. These structures are tall, difficult to access, and often located in challenging industrial environments. For operators, the challenge is twofold: to accurately assess the condition of the structure while minimizing the risks associated with working at heights.
At Multinnov, we have designed the Stereo3 to address this type of challenge. This indoor drone enables a quick and documented visual inspection without unnecessarily exposing operators to hazardous areas.
The goal is not to replace human expertise. It is to provide them with a safer, more agile, and more effective tool for monitoring challenging environments, collecting reliable data, and preparing for maintenance decisions.
Understanding the Challenges of Industrial Chimney Inspection
Industrial chimneys are subject to significant stresses, including high temperatures, humidity, deposits, corrosion, vibrations, and material degradation. Regular inspections help identify cracks, damage, structural defects, or other issues that could compromise the safety of the facility.
But accessing these works is never easy.
Traditional methods often involve:
- the erection of scaffolding;
- the use of aerial work platforms;
- the use of rope access technicians;
- the temporary suspension of certain activities;
- the implementation of enhanced security protocols.
These methods are sometimes still necessary, particularly for repair work. However, when it comes to conducting an initial visual inspection, they can be cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming.
Working at heights also poses a major risk. The INRS emphasizes that fall prevention must be incorporated as early as possible in the process by analyzing access conditions, the workstation, and operating procedures. Temporary equipment such as scaffolding or aerial work platforms must be selected and used in a strictly safe manner.
It is precisely in this context that the use of an inspection drone proves its worth. By deploying the technology to the area to be inspected, teams minimize operators’ direct exposure while maintaining a detailed view of the structure.
Stereo3: Advanced Technology for Precise Inspections
The Stereo3 is our indoor inspection drone designed for complex, confined, or hard-to-reach environments. It was designed to provide stable, clear, and actionable visual inspections, even in areas where GPS is unavailable.
Optical stabilization designed for challenging environments
The Stereo3 features a dual-camera optical stabilization system. This technology analyzes the texture of the environment in real time to maintain stable flight, even during rapid movement or in complex spaces.
In the case of an industrial chimney, this stability is essential. It allows for clearer images, enables precise tracking of the walls, and minimizes unwanted movements that would complicate the diagnosis.
A 4K camera to document anomalies
Image quality is key to a successful inspection. The Stereo3 features a 4K camera designed to deliver sharp, detailed images. Multinnov highlights this capability in particular for identifying cracks, damage, structural defects, or anomalies with a high degree of precision.
For maintenance teams, these images are more than just videos. They serve as diagnostic tools, reporting materials, and visual evidence that can be used to monitor the structure.
Powerful lighting for dark areas
Industrial chimneys and enclosed vertical structures can have areas with poor lighting. The Stereo3 features a light output of 13, 000 lumens to improve visibility in dark environments.
This lighting makes it easier to distinguish surfaces, deposits, cracks, or changes in appearance. It therefore directly improves the reliability ofvisual inspections.
A rugged design for the field
The Stereo3 is equipped with a carbon fiber frame designed to protect the drone during inspections in challenging environments.
In an industrial chimney, where walls, rough surfaces, or obstacles may be close by, this protection helps ensure safe flight and minimize mission interruptions.
Concrete impacts and benefits for manufacturers
The appeal of Stereo3 is not limited to its technical specifications. Its value lies primarily in the operational benefits it provides to operators.
Reduce risks to operators
Drone inspections reduce the need for immediate work at heights. Teams can remain at a distance, from a safe location, while inspecting the interior or hard-to-reach parts of the chimney.
This approach is based on a simple principle: avoiding exposure to risk when technology allows for a reliable initial analysis.
Save time on inspections
Deploying an indoor drone is generally faster than setting up scaffolding or heavy-duty access equipment. For a visual inspection, this reduces preparation time and provides a quick initial assessment of the structure.
This helps teams respond more quickly, particularly when:
- a preventive inspection;
- a post-incident inspection;
- a technical stoppage;
- as part of a scheduled maintenance operation.
Improving diagnostic accuracy
The 4K camera, real-time video feed, and stabilization features of the Stereo3 enable the collection of actionable visual data. Anomalies can be located, documented, and compared during future inspections.
This traceability facilitates better maintenance. It helps operators prioritize maintenance tasks, track the progression of defects, and avoid unnecessary work.
Reduce inspection costs
Fewer access routes, less human exposure, and shorter preparation times: the economic impact can be significant.The savings come not only from the cost of the operation itself, but also from reduced downtime, better planning, and the prevention of damage.
Inspecting an industrial chimney requires precision, safety, and a systematic approach. Traditional methods remain essential for certain hands-on tasks, but they are not always necessary for conducting an initial visual assessment.
With the Stereo3, we offer avisual inspection solution designed for complex environments: optical stabilization, a 4K camera, powerful lighting, a carbon fiber frame, and wireless control. This indoor drone makes it easier to access hard-to-reach areas, document anomalies, and minimize operator exposure.
For manufacturers, this is a more agile, secure, and efficient way to monitor their infrastructure, while improving the quality of diagnostics and controlling costs.
