Ilesanmi Daniyan, Vincent Balogun, Oghenetano Kilter Ererughurie, Lanre Daniyan and Bankole Ibrahim Oladapo
The purpose of this study is to develop a robot for non-destructive testing of the pipelines to improve its reliability and reduce the loss of products due to cracks, corrosions…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a robot for non-destructive testing of the pipelines to improve its reliability and reduce the loss of products due to cracks, corrosions, etc.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, an inline inspection robot was developed for crack and corrosion detection in the pipeline. The developed robot consists of ultrasonic sensors to avoid obstacles, a visual aid with high resolution to view real time images and colour sensors for corrosion detection. The Autodesk inventor software was used for the drafting and solid modelling of the robot. A dummy pipe of 500 mm diameter and 2,000 mm length with induced cracks and corrosion was fabricated to test the robot. The colour sensors placed at each side of the robot were used to detect corrosion in the dummy pipe whilst the image processing was done to analyse the crack, as well as the type and depth of corrosion present in the dummy pipe.
Findings
The results obtained show the ability of the developed robot to detect cracks and determine the crack growth in the pipeline in addition to its ability to determine corrosion.
Practical implications
Hence, the study provides a diagnostic tool for detecting pipeline defects and analysing the extent of defects to determine the fatigue rate and the useful life of the pipeline.
Originality/value
The novelties of this study is based on the fact that it was designed to avoid obstacles and check for cracks, leakage and corrosion in pipelines autonomously. It has visual aid that makes it possible to see the interior of the pipe. This makes it easier to identify the defect and the location of the defects before a catastrophic failure. The device is also equipped with sensors, which can detect defects and send the signal to a control system, as well as a Bluetooth device so the operator can have real time information about the state and integrity of the pipelines. The system is also integrated with a Bluetooth device, which permits its compatibility with Android and other mobile applications. Thus, the enabled user can send a command to query the state of the pipeline at any location with the feedback received in the form of short message service. Hence, this study offers contribution in the development of an independent (self-governing) system with the capability to autonomously detect defects in pipe walls and effectively communicate feedback to the authorised users. The prototype model for the evaluation of pipeline integrity will bring about a more proactive way to detect pipeline defects so that effort can be geared towards its restoration before it becomes a major problem, which will subsequently affect productivity and incur losses.
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Ilesanmi Daniyan, Khumbulani Mpofu and Samuel Nwankwo
The need to examine the integrity of infrastructure in the rail industry in order to improve its reliability and reduce the chances of breakdown due to defects has brought about…
Abstract
Purpose
The need to examine the integrity of infrastructure in the rail industry in order to improve its reliability and reduce the chances of breakdown due to defects has brought about development of an inspection and diagnostic robot.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, an inspection robot was designed for detecting crack, corrosion, missing clips and wear on rail track facilities. The robot is designed to use infrared and ultrasonic sensors for obstacles avoidance and crack detection, two 3D-profilometer for wear detection as well as cameras with high resolution to capture real time images and colour sensors for corrosion detection. The robot is also designed with cameras placed in front of it with colour sensors at each side to assist in the detection of corrosion in the rail track. The image processing capability of the robot will permit the analysis of the type and depth of the crack and corrosion captured in the track. The computer aided design and modeling of the robot was carried out using the Solidworks software version 2018 while the simulation of the proposed system was carried out in the MATLAB 2020b environment.
Findings
The results obtained present three frameworks for wear, corrosion and missing clips as well as crack detection. In addition, the design data for the development of the integrated robotic system is also presented in the work. The confusion matrix resulting from the simulation of the proposed system indicates significant sensitivity and accuracy of the system to the presence and detection of fault respectively. Hence, the work provides a design framework for detecting and analysing the presence of defects on the rail track.
Practical implications
The development and the implementation of the designed robot will bring about a more proactive way to monitor rail track conditions and detect rail track defects so that effort can be geared towards its restoration before it becomes a major problem thus increasing the rail network capacity and availability.
Originality/value
The novelty of this work is based on the fact that the system is designed to work autonomously to avoid obstacles and check for cracks, missing clips, wear and corrosion in the rail tracks with a system of integrated and coordinated components.
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Emanuel Fernando Samasseca Zeferino, Olasumbo Ayodeji Makinde, Khumbulani Mpofu, Boitumelo Innocent Ramatsetse and Ilesanmi Afolabi Daniyan
Selection of a suitable location for a quarantine infrastructure represents a complex decision problem, which requires a systematic appraisal of myriads of factors. Quarantine…
Abstract
Purpose
Selection of a suitable location for a quarantine infrastructure represents a complex decision problem, which requires a systematic appraisal of myriads of factors. Quarantine facility in this study is a facility that intends to harbour and treat individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 to prevent the widespread of the virus. COVID-19 is a very contagious pandemic disease, hence, the establishment of critical factors that will embrace the selection of a suitable quarantine facility is of high importance. This paper aims to ascertain the vital few factors that must be considered by decision makers in selecting a suitable quarantine facility.
Design/methodology/approach
The aim of this study was achieved through the numerical assessment of identified quarantine location selection factors using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Pareto techniques. The factors, which influences the selection of a suitable quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients were first identified from the literature followed by the pairwise comparison of the factors and random consistency analyses, as well as the ranking of the alternatives based on facility location experts’ opinions.
Findings
The study revealed that security, skills availability, cost, readiness, proximity to necessary medical facilities and distance to border, with percentage weight scores of 18%, 16.7%, 15.6%, 10.3%, 9.8% and 6.6% were the critical factors that must be considered during the selection of a quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients.
Practical implications
The results of this paper will help the government and decision makers in locating the quarantine sites for people who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Originality/value
The present study focuses on the application of the decision technique to ascertain critical factors that embrace suitable quarantine facility selection. Combination of AHP and Pareto techniques for prioritization of conflicting factors to be considered in selecting the most suitable location for a quarantine facility has not been reported by existing literature.
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Emanuel Fernando Samasseca Zeferino, Khumbulani Mpofu, Olasumbo Ayodeji Makinde, Boitumelo Innocent Ramatsetse and Ilesanmi Afolabi Daniyan
The determination of the appropriate site for the location of a research institute represents a multi-criteria problem which requires a scientific approach for decision-making…
Abstract
Purpose
The determination of the appropriate site for the location of a research institute represents a multi-criteria problem which requires a scientific approach for decision-making. The research centre in this study is an institute that intends to carry out the state-of-the-art research activities and provide the requisite skills to expedite and optimize the manufacturing of rail cars in South Africa. Hence, the selection of a suitable and conducive location capable of achieving these aforementioned objectives in an effective manner is a problem which requires scientific justification for the allocation of the weights and biases. In light of this, using various decision techniques, this paper aims to establish a suitable framework for the location selection of the research institute which is capable of meeting the short- and long-term objectives of the institute.
Design/methodology/approach
This aim was achieved by ascertaining the suitability of potential location alternatives using the factor rating (FR) and centre of gravity (CoG) technique.
Findings
The CoG revealed that any location within the longitude of 28.28 and latitude of −25.75 (with a Cartesian coordinate position of 5053.62; 2718.69) is suitable for the research institute, while the result of the FR/weighted score matrix revealed that location J3 with a weighted score of 72.6% is the most suitable location for the research institute with the longitude of 5053.62 and latitude of 2718.69.
Practical implications
The results of this paper helped decision-makers in locating the given research institute which is currently operational.
Originality/value
The present study is focussed on the application of location decision techniques in the research institute scenario. The combination of FR and CoG techniques for the selection of the most suitable location for a research institute amidst conflicting criteria has not been widely reported by the existing literature.