Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)technology is rapidly advancing,offering innovative solutions for various industries,including the critical task of oil and gas pipeline surveillance.However,the limited flight time of co...Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)technology is rapidly advancing,offering innovative solutions for various industries,including the critical task of oil and gas pipeline surveillance.However,the limited flight time of conventional UAVs presents a significant challenge to comprehensive and continuous monitoring,which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of pipeline infrastructure.This review paper evaluates methods for extending UAV flight endurance,focusing on their potential application in pipeline inspection.Through an extensive literature review,this study identifies the latest advancements in UAV technology,evaluates their effectiveness,and highlights the existing gaps in achieving prolonged flight operations.Advanced techniques,including artificial intelligence(AI),machine learning(ML),and deep learning(DL),are reviewed for their roles in pipeline monitoring.Notably,DL algorithms like You Only Look Once(YOLO)are explored for autonomous flight in UAV-based inspections,real-time defect detection,such as cracks,corrosion,and leaks,enhancing reliability and accuracy.A vital aspect of this research is the proposed deployment of a hybrid drone design combining lighter-than-air(LTA)and heavier-than-air(HTA)principles,achieving a balance of endurance and maneuverability.LTA vehicles utilize buoyancy to reduce energy consumption,thereby extending flight durations.The paper details the methodology for designing LTA vehicles,presenting an analysis of design parameters that align with the requirements for effective pipeline surveillance.The ongoing work is currently at Technology Readiness Level(TRL)4,where key components have been validated in laboratory conditions,with fabrication and flight testing planned for the next phase.Initial design analysis indicates that LTA configurations could offer significant advantages in flight endurance compared to traditional UAV designs.These findings lay the groundwork for future fabrication and testing phases,which will be critical in validating and assessing the proposed approach’s real-world applicability.By outlining the technical complexities and proposing specialized techniques tailored for pipeline monitoring,this paper provides a foundational framework for advancing UAV capabilities in the oil and gas sector.Researchers and industry practitioners can use this roadmap to further develop UAV-enabled surveillance solutions,aiming to improve the reliability,efficiency,and safety of pipeline monitoring.展开更多
基金supported by the Yayasan Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS(YUTP)under Cost Center 015LC0-485.
文摘Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)technology is rapidly advancing,offering innovative solutions for various industries,including the critical task of oil and gas pipeline surveillance.However,the limited flight time of conventional UAVs presents a significant challenge to comprehensive and continuous monitoring,which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of pipeline infrastructure.This review paper evaluates methods for extending UAV flight endurance,focusing on their potential application in pipeline inspection.Through an extensive literature review,this study identifies the latest advancements in UAV technology,evaluates their effectiveness,and highlights the existing gaps in achieving prolonged flight operations.Advanced techniques,including artificial intelligence(AI),machine learning(ML),and deep learning(DL),are reviewed for their roles in pipeline monitoring.Notably,DL algorithms like You Only Look Once(YOLO)are explored for autonomous flight in UAV-based inspections,real-time defect detection,such as cracks,corrosion,and leaks,enhancing reliability and accuracy.A vital aspect of this research is the proposed deployment of a hybrid drone design combining lighter-than-air(LTA)and heavier-than-air(HTA)principles,achieving a balance of endurance and maneuverability.LTA vehicles utilize buoyancy to reduce energy consumption,thereby extending flight durations.The paper details the methodology for designing LTA vehicles,presenting an analysis of design parameters that align with the requirements for effective pipeline surveillance.The ongoing work is currently at Technology Readiness Level(TRL)4,where key components have been validated in laboratory conditions,with fabrication and flight testing planned for the next phase.Initial design analysis indicates that LTA configurations could offer significant advantages in flight endurance compared to traditional UAV designs.These findings lay the groundwork for future fabrication and testing phases,which will be critical in validating and assessing the proposed approach’s real-world applicability.By outlining the technical complexities and proposing specialized techniques tailored for pipeline monitoring,this paper provides a foundational framework for advancing UAV capabilities in the oil and gas sector.Researchers and industry practitioners can use this roadmap to further develop UAV-enabled surveillance solutions,aiming to improve the reliability,efficiency,and safety of pipeline monitoring.
