28 Apr 2024
Towngas’ pipeline robot gains recognition in inaugural OSH Innovation & Technology Award for eliminating confined space work risks
(28 April 2024) Safety concerns related to working in confined spaces have raised significant attention in the industry. The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) has developed an “Internal Conditioning Robot for Steel Pipe” to replace manual labour by workers to perform tasks such as inner wall welding, polishing, and anti-rusting coating inside steel pipes, thereby eliminating the risks associated with workers entering confined spaces. With this invention, Towngas has been honoured with the Silver Award in the Open Category of the inaugural “OSH Innovation & Technology Award” by the Occupational Safety and Health Council.
The Internal Conditioning Robot resembles a small remote-controlled car, measuring approximately 40 centimetres in length, 25 centimetres in width, and 30 centimetres in height. Operators can remotely control its movement within the gas steel pipes using pneumatic components, allowing it to travel 3 to 4 metres per minute to perform tasks such as inner wall welding, polishing, and spraying anti-rust coating. Operators can also monitor the work progress in real time through a camera feed transmitted from inside the pipe.
The robot made its debut at the OSH Innovation and Technology Expo. Mr Lai Kam-to, General Manager – Distribution Operation of Towngas, expressed that the use of the robot significantly enhances industrial safety, “By replacing manual labour with robots for the work inside steel pipes, we eliminate the risks associated with our staff working in confined spaces. Moreover, the time required for the tasks is reduced by approximately half compared to manual operations, thus improving work efficiency.” Furthermore, the robot can handle smaller pipe diameters that were difficult to address manually, further ensuring public safety.
With these advantages, the Internal Conditioning Robot stood out among nearly 130 participating projects in the inaugural OSH Innovation & Technology Award organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Labour Department, securing the Silver Award in the Open Category. This recognition acknowledges Towngas’ efforts to apply innovative technology and enhance occupational safety. Mr Lai stated that Towngas will continue to allocate resources to sustainable development and occupational safety, as well as health innovation projects, creating a safer and more convenient working environment for employees in the future.
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Press photos:
Photo 1:
Mr Lai Kam-to (4th from left), General Manager – Distribution Operation of Towngas, and the development team of the “Internal Conditioning Robot for Steel Pipe”, receive the Silver Award in the Open Category of the inaugural OSH Innovation & Technology Award on behalf of the Company from Ms May Chan Wing-shiu (centre), Commissioner for Labour.
Photo 2:
The Internal Conditioning Robot for Steel Pipe developed by Towngas can replace manual labour for inner wall welding, polishing, and anti-rust coating spraying inside steel pipes, eliminating the risks of workers entering confined spaces in pipelines for work and enhancing occupational safety.
Photo 3:
The Internal Conditioning Robot for Steel Pipe is designed to be used with steel pipes with a diameter of 300 to 600 millimetres. It is simple to operate, requiring only the replacement of parts according to the pipe size.
Photo 4:
The Internal Conditioning Robot for Steel Pipe can enter the inner walls of smaller-diameter steel pipes to carry out welding and polishing tasks. This eliminates the occupational safety risks, such as the exposure to irritating gases, sparks, steel pipe debris, and dust, that workers would otherwise face during manual welding and polishing processes.
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The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited