Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati incubated startup Beta Tank Robotics (BetaTANK) has made a significant breakthrough in the field of tank cleaning. They have recently unveiled two cutting-edge robotic solutions designed to efficiently maintain and clean petroleum tanks, thereby eliminating the need for manual labor in hazardous environments.
The first robotic solution is designed to clean tank bottom sludge. This compact and low-height robot is equipped with the capability to sweep the tank bottom sludge and pump it into a receptacle located outside the tank. What sets this robot apart from its contemporaries around the world are its three distinct USPs, which ensure effective and seamless cleaning operations.
The second robot developed by BetaTANK specializes in water-washing and stripping retail outlet petrol pump tanks. Once inside the tank, this robot raises its arms and effectively washes the tanks, including stripping away the washings. This innovative technology simplifies the gas freeing process, making it safer, easier, and faster.
The founder of BetaTANK, Captain D. Chandrasekhar, explained that the robots’ compact size and low-height design enable them to navigate underneath the heating coils commonly found in tanks. Moreover, these robots feature a powerful pump that can effectively transport thick sludge over long distances, a task that cannot be accomplished by a vacuum truck from outside the tank.
BetaTANK’s revolutionary robotic solutions have immense potential in the oil and gas industry, particularly in situations where human entry poses significant risks. The deployment of robots in place of manual labor reduces potential liabilities and reputational hazards for major oil corporations.
According to Prof Uday Shanker Dixit from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Guwahati, the application of BetaTANK’s robots extends beyond the oil industry. With minor modifications, these robots can be adapted for cleaning chemical tanks, sewage treatment plants, food processing tanks, and more.
BetaTANK’s innovation marks a significant milestone in the automation of hazardous tasks, enhancing worker safety and mitigating environmental risks. The development of these robotic solutions showcases the tremendous potential of technology in transforming traditional industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do BetaTANK’s robotic solutions work?
BetaTANK has developed two robots for petroleum tank cleaning. One robot efficiently cleans tank bottom sludge by sweeping it and pumping it into a receptacle outside the tank. The other robot water-washes and strips retail outlet petrol pump tanks by moving inside the tank, raising its arms, and effectively washing the tanks.
2. What are the advantages of using these robots?
These robots offer several advantages over traditional cleaning methods. They eliminate the need for manual labor in hazardous environments, reduce potential liabilities and reputational hazards, and make the cleaning process safer, easier, and faster.
3. Can BetaTANK’s technology be adapted for other industries?
Yes, according to Prof Uday Shanker Dixit, with slight modifications, BetaTANK’s technology can be applied to cleaning chemical tanks, sewage treatment plants, food processing tanks, and other similar applications.
4. How was BetaTANK’s innovation funded?
BetaTANK received funding from OIL India Limited’s flagship program, the start-up India fund ‘Startup Nurturing, Enabling and Handholding (SNEH)’, while being incubated at IIT Guwahati’s Technology Incubation Centre (IITG-TIC).
(Source: IANS)