PROJECT OVERVIEW 

It can be argued that compliance either drives or hinders technological advancement. In this case study, Eye-Bot Aerial Solutions (Eye-Bot) demonstrates how the use of technology and survey-grade data deliverables provided NewFields, an environmental, engineering, and construction management firm, with the information they needed to calculate approximately seventy-five individual containment volumes lying within two separate petroleum bulk storage and transfer facilities that cover a total of 183 acres in the State of New Jersey. 

NewFields was able to perform these calculations in accordance with federal and state regulations without ever having to step foot on site.  The containment areas included above-ground storage tank dikes, tank truck loading/unloading areas, and various process areas also known as oil-filled operational equipment.   

PROJECT SUMMARY 

Eye-bot and NewFields were contracted by an industry-leading oil and gas client to calculate the secondary containment volumes for two separate petroleum bulk storage and transfer facilities in the State of New Jersey. The client’s requirement is to reconfirm the secondary containment capacities every ten years.   

After setting and surveying a robust ground control network, Eye-bot collected and processed over 1 TB worth of data spanning the 183-acres in less than one week.  Eye-bot collected and processed data of the entire site utilizing a drone. The drone scanned each designated containment area and recorded elevation and surface area data. Eye-Bot processed the data photogrammetrically and provided NewFields with the survey point data, breaklines, and planimetrics of each containment area in AutoCAD. 

NewFields then calculated the volumes, using the top of the lowest containment elevation, and calculated the secondary containment capacities while factoring in the required precipitation accumulation and any volume displacements in accordance with federal and state regulations, specifically N.J.A.C. 7:1E et seq and 40 CFR 112 et seq. Utilizing Eye-bot’s years of data collection experience, and NewFields long-running track record of unparalleled expertise and integrated disciplines, these two companies were able to successfully collaborate while only three Eye-Bot personnel spent an average of two days at each facility.  Additionally, whenever Newfields had follow-up questions or needed additional information during their calculation period, Eye-bot was able to utilize the high-resolution visual data to provide answers, collaborate, and share information without the need to revisit the sites.  

CALCULATIONS 

In this example, leveraging Eye-bot’s advanced data collection and processing methods, a 3D Reality Model was generated on a 155-acre site with sixty secondary containment areas. The processed data was accurate to a Root Square Mean Error (“RMSE”) of:  

X: 0.009 (ft) Y: 0.029 (ft) Z: 0.082 (ft) 

Utilizing Eye-bot’s advanced proprietary acquisition methods and data processing, analysis was performed using millions of data points versus conventional survey methods where only a minimum number of points was collected within each designated area. 

CONCLUSION 

Using a combination of artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis tools, Eye-bot was able to generate planimetric AutoCAD drawings and surfaces of the entire site while extracting the earthen and impermeable secondary containment areas while accounting for volume displacements.  This method ensured each secondary containment area was measured with greater accuracy while reducing the number of on-site hours and thus reducing the possibility of health and safety incidents.