Drones in Chimney Inspections: Elios 2 Helps Personnel Avoid Dangerous Climbs

DTEK, a leading energy company based in Ukraine, recently conducted a trial using the Elios 2 drone for chimney and boiler inspections at one of its power plants. The results were impressive, as the drone significantly reduced the time required for inspections while keeping workers out of hazardous environments.

Key Benefits at a Glance

About DTEK

DTEK is one of the largest private investors in Ukraine’s energy sector, operating power plants across the country that provide electricity and other essential energy services. These facilities rely on large chimneys and boilers, which require regular inspections to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Failure to detect issues such as small cracks in boiler pipes can lead to significant downtime and costly repairs. That’s why DTEK has been actively seeking safer and more cost-effective inspection solutions.

Challenges of Traditional Inspections

Inspecting DTEK’s chimneys requires professional climbers to scale 180-meter-tall brick structures using long ladders. For boilers, scaffolding must be erected inside the 45-meter-high units, which involves eight workers and thousands of kilograms of materials over an entire day.

These traditional methods are not only expensive but also time-consuming, causing production delays and increasing operational risks. In fact, only about 20% of inspections result in actual maintenance needs, meaning most of the time, remote visual data would have been sufficient.

The Drone Solution

A year ago, DTEK began exploring drone technology as a safer alternative. While many drones struggle in confined spaces due to lack of GPS, the Elios 2 was designed specifically for indoor inspections. Its protective cage allows it to safely navigate tight areas without crashing.

Equipped with features like distance lock, stabilization, and oblique lighting, the Elios 2 provides detailed visuals that mimic the lighting conditions used by human inspectors, making it ideal for complex inspections.

Results from Real-World Testing

In a recent test, the Elios 2 successfully inspected both a chimney and a boiler at one of DTEK’s power stations. The drone completed the chimney inspection in just three flights, taking about 30 minutes—compared to several hours for manual methods.

For the boiler, the Elios 2 captured all necessary visual data in one hour, whereas a manual inspection would have taken a full day. This dramatic improvement in speed and safety has made the drone a promising tool for future inspections.

Watch how the Elios 2 performs during a chimney inspection:

The success of these tests has led DTEK to consider integrating drone inspections into their routine maintenance processes. With faster, safer, and more frequent inspections, they hope to identify potential issues earlier and extend the lifespan of their critical infrastructure.

As the energy sector continues to evolve, adopting innovative technologies like the Elios 2 is becoming essential for maintaining efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

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