【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Equipment】The first domestically produced heat exchange tube inspection robot was tested for the first time in Sichuan between 2018 and 2023

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Looking at the decade-long development in chemical engineering technology, we praise the prosperity and strength of modern China. By sharing our insights, we encourage more people to participate and make the discussion more lively. With you here, HaiChuan becomes even better. [A Decade of Progress in Chemical Engineering Equipment] – Regular updates and summaries are available; feel free to join the discussions at https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-3576046-1-1.html. Let’s enhance our awareness of quality and promote high-quality development. ----------------------------------------- On October 12, 2023, the first domestically developed robot for inspecting heat exchange tubes, developed by the Chengdu Special Equipment Inspection and Testing Institute, completed its first application test at Sichuan Petrochemical. As a key component of typical shell-and-tube heat exchangers, the heat exchange tubes suffer from damages such as corrosion and cracks under long-term high-temperature and high-pressure operating conditions, which severely affects the performance of the equipment. Currently, the inspection of heat exchange tubes is usually carried out manually, which results in high labor intensity, uneven feeding speed, low inspection efficiency, numerous human factors, and unreliable evaluation results. Taking into account its own circumstances, the Chengdu Special Equipment Inspection and Testing Institute identified a technical research approach based on collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions in order to overcome the challenges associated with heater inspection. It has strengthened technological innovation partnerships with Sichuan University and Sichuan Petrochemical Industry, focusing on joint research efforts to develop advanced technologies for the intelligent inspection of heaters. To date, the institute has secured funding for several projects from the State Administration for Market Regulation as well as Sichuan Province’s science and technology programs. One invention patent applied for by the institute, namely \"An automated robot for inspecting heat exchange tubes,\" has been approved by the Intellectual Property Office; so far, the project team has submitted a total of 3 patent applications. 　　At present, the Chengdu Special Equipment Inspection and Testing Institute is accelerating the further development of robots for inspecting heat exchange tubes as well as the research on key technologies; these efforts are expected to fill the gaps in the field of intelligent inspection technologies and equipment for heat exchangers in China.