Background
Process and power generation plants are typically composed of intricate networks of pipelines, vessels, and process chambers, with conditions inside these assets carefully controlled to ensure efficient operation.
During plant shutdowns or turnarounds, these assets are often opened for inspection and maintenance. In the midst of these activities, it’s common for foreign objects, such as gloves or loose bolts, to be accidentally dropped into narrow, hard-to-reach spaces.
Retrieving these objects can be challenging due to the confined nature of these areas, and failure to remove them is critical, as they could disrupt operations. In the worst cases, the asset may need to be cut open to retrieve the objects, which is both costly and time-consuming.
To address this, the JAWS 2.0 Foreign Object Search and Retrieval (FOSAR) tool has been designed. This tool features a remotely operated motorised gripper with an integrated HD camera, capable of extending up to 30 meters using flexible fibre rods to effectively retrieve foreign objects from tight spaces.
Key Features of the JAWS 2.0
- Motorised Gripper Tool with interchangeable end effectors for versatile handling of different materials.
- Integrated HD Camera with a 5” display, assisting the user in accurately positioning the tool and identifying materials.
- 30-meter Reach with extendable, flexible fibre rods and cable, allowing access to hard-to-reach areas.
- Ease of Deployment, ensuring quick setup and efficient operation in various environments.
- Comprehensive Retrieval Kit, including a full range of tools and accessories such as magnets, snares, hooks, and more, for enhanced flexibility and effectiveness in retrieval tasks.
Case Study in point
During a recent shutdown at a local process plant, a grinding disc and a glove fell into a 24” vertical pipe flange, leading to a reducer about 8 meters below. Several attempts were made to retrieve the objects using makeshift poles and hooks, but none were successful. To complicate matters, the objects shifted positions each time an attempt was made, making it even harder to locate them.
Using a camera independently operated from the makeshift tools further complicated the task, as it was difficult to visualise the exact location of the foreign objects.
Given the challenges, the decision was made to cut the pipe at the suspected location of the objects. However, before proceeding with the cutting, VISCOY was called in to attempt a retrieval using the Jaws 2.0 system.
VISCOY field engineers successfully retrieved the objects on the first attempt using the Jaws 2.0. The entire retrieval process took just 30 minutes, highlighting the efficiency and ease of deployment of the FOSAR system.
