Beerenberg recently completed a successful cleaning of a methanol tank at Tjeldbergodden – without the need for personnel inside the tank. The task was accomplished using the robot Pluto, in collaboration with our sister company Remotion.
The assignment arose after production analyses detected impurities in the product. To avoid time-consuming and costly operations related to tank isolation, the customer sought a solution without physical entry. Beerenberg took on the challenge and delivered an efficient robotic solution that ensured thorough cleaning with minimal operational risk.
The Future of Cleaning in Practice
The Pluto robot is specially designed for demanding tasks in confined spaces. For this assignment, it was equipped with an ultra-high-pressure washer (UHT) and a vacuum system for efficient impurity removal. The solution ensured a thorough cleaning down to bare steel, while simultaneously extracting all impurities and any corrosion from the tank floor.
By using Pluto, all personnel risks were eliminated. The cleaning itself was conducted from Thursday at 14:00 to early Friday morning at 04:00 – a significant time savings compared to traditional methods, which would have required a team of 12 people working for 11.5 days.
Overcoming Challenges
Vebjørn Kvam, the lead engineer for the project, explains the challenges encountered along the way:
– After thorough reviews with the customer and Remotion, we ensured that we had control over all potential issues – we were confident we could make this work. The biggest challenge was the manhole, which was only 24 inches wide, closely followed by the need for proper control of hoses and cables, he says.
Kvam adds that there was great enthusiasm about using the robot:
It is inspiring to see the engagement both from our operators and the customer when a robotic solution is implemented. The advantages are many – we eliminate the need for manual entry, reduce the risk of personal injury, and save the customer from costly isolation measures.
Delivered on Time
Despite weather challenges and transport delays, the work was completed within the agreed timeframe. The tank is now spotless and back in normal operation.
A Forward-Thinking Customer
The customer at Tjeldbergodden has proven to be a forward-thinking player, investing in new technology to optimize operations, HSE, and cost efficiency. This is the second time in a short period that Beerenberg has used robotic technology at the facility, and the collaboration has repeatedly resulted in innovative solutions and more efficient work methods.
To strengthen professional expertise and develop new solutions together, Beerenberg and the customer organize technical workshops every quarter. These sessions explore the potential of new technologies and methods that can improve safety, reduce costs, and enhance work processes.
Attracting Young Talent
Einar Martin Daae Rognli, Production Manager for Beerenberg at Tjeldbergodden, is excited about the technological advancements:
– Time and again, we see that the use of new technology sparks engagement, not just internally but also at the customer interface. It also increases interest in our fields and can help attract more young people to the ISO trades, says Rognli.
With initiatives like this, Tjeldbergodden is solidifying its position as an onshore technology hub.
