Major Cement Company Enhances Stockpile Measurement with Elios 3

A leading cement plant in France has successfully implemented the Elios 3 drone equipped with LiDAR technology to improve the accuracy and safety of clinker stockpile measurements. This innovative approach has transformed the traditional manual method, which was both time-consuming and risky.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Introduction

Clinker is a crucial raw material used in the production of various types of cement. It is ground into a fine powder and then used as a binding agent. Clinker is typically stored in large silos, and accurate inventory tracking is essential for efficient production planning.

Traditionally, plant employees manually measured clinker levels by standing on a platform inside the silo and using a long pole to estimate the amount. This method was not only time-consuming but also unsafe, especially when working at heights.

Customer Needs

Clinker silos are often dark, dusty, and dangerous places to work. At a French cement plant, workers had to stand on a small, unstable platform 25 meters (82 feet) above the floor to take inventory. This practice exposed them to significant risks and produced unreliable data.

Plant operators recognized the need for a safer and more accurate solution and explored new technologies to improve their inventory process.

Solution

The plant decided to test the Elios 3 drone, which features a LiDAR sensor capable of capturing highly accurate 3D data during flight. The goal was to use this data, processed through GeoSLAM Connect, to measure the clinker stockpile accurately.

One of the key advantages of the Elios 3 is its ability to create real-time 3D maps using SLAM technology. This allowed pilots to navigate even in low-visibility environments, such as the dusty interior of a clinker silo.

Results

The Elios 3 proved to be a game-changer for the plant. The stockpile measurement was completed quickly and with much greater accuracy than the previous manual method. The drone operated safely in the dusty environment, thanks to its LiDAR stabilization system and 3D Live Map feature.

Here are the main benefits the plant experienced:

• Speed: The process took only 10 minutes of flight time and 20 minutes of post-processing, delivering highly accurate results.
• Accuracy: The Elios 3 provided far more reliable data than the manual method.
• Dusty Environment: The 3D Live Map and LiDAR technology made it possible to operate in areas where visibility was poor.
• Safety: No personnel needed to climb onto the high platform, reducing the risk of accidents.
• Coverage: The 3D map ensured full coverage of the clinker stockpile for complete and accurate measurements.

Additional Visual Inspection of a Filter Shaft

Beyond clinker inventory, the plant also used the Elios 3 to inspect a filter shaft. Inspectors discovered severe damage to the beams, which led to timely maintenance and prevented potential shutdowns.

This additional use case highlighted the versatility of the Elios 3 in industrial settings, where access is often limited and visibility is poor.

Conclusion

The success of the Elios 3 in measuring clinker stockpiles has led the plant to consider making it a permanent part of their operations. In addition to inventory management, the team is exploring regular visual inspections of other plant assets.

With its ability to operate in challenging environments, the Elios 3 offers a safer, faster, and more accurate alternative to traditional methods. Its potential applications extend beyond clinker silos, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of industrial inspections.

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