Removing 7–8 Years of Industrial Buildup with the C30 Cleaning Drone
500 bar pressure. 30 L/min water flow. Zero cleaning chemicals.
The Challenge: Years of Hardened Industrial Residue
During an industrial drone cleaning operation at the Viresol Kft. facility in Visonta, Hungary, the objective was to clean a particularly challenging elevated industrial structure. Over a period of more than 7–8 years, organic and industrial contaminants that had spilled from a mash storage tank had accumulated and baked onto the surface, forming a relatively thick and tenacious layer.
Removing deposits of this nature using conventional methods, such as erecting scaffolding or using boom lifts, would have been extremely time-consuming, costly, and associated with an increased risk of accidents. An additional technical challenge was the delivery of water to such heights, as the weight of the hose and pressure losses typically limit cleaning efficiency considerably.
The Solution: High-Pressure Cleaning from the Air
The ABZ Innovation C30 was deployed with a high-performance, drone-based cleaning system designed for demanding industrial applications.
The system was powered by a diesel-driven Trail Jet 30 high-pressure unit, which served as a fully independent industrial power source, ensuring continuous and stable operation. The equipment delivered an operating pressure of 500 bar and a water flow rate of 30 litres per minute, both essential for mechanically breaking down the thick layer of mash residue.
To deliver the cleaning head to the required height, we used a specially designed hose with a diameter of just 10 mm. Its ultra-lightweight construction and exceptional flexibility minimized the load on the drone while maintaining resistance to high pressure. Thanks to this technology, the system can perform effective cleaning at heights of up to 120 metres without significant pressure loss.
The drone was equipped with an extended spray lance measuring 2.3 metres in length. This ensured an appropriate and safe distance from the structure being cleaned while allowing the water jet to strike the surface at the optimum angle. At the end of the lance, we fitted a rotary pinpoint jet nozzle with a metal housing, rated for pressures of up to 600 bar and temperatures of up to 100°C. Its rotating mechanical action progressively broke down and removed even the most stubborn layers of contamination.
Powerful Cleaning. No Chemicals Required.
One of the standout results of this operation was that the accumulated residue was removed using water alone, with no chemical cleaning agents required.
The excellent results were achieved solely through the effective flow of clean water, an exceptionally high pressure of 500 bar, and the targeted mechanical cleaning action of the rotary nozzle.
This chemical-free approach offers significant environmental benefits. No hazardous chemical waste was generated, the risk of chemical contamination of the soil and surrounding industrial drainage network was avoided, and there was no need to use substances that could potentially cause corrosion or chemical damage to the surfaces.
The effectiveness of the technology was demonstrated by the successful removal of even the most stubborn organic deposits that had accumulated and hardened over 7–8 years. The results show how, in industrial cleaning, precise mechanical force combined with an advanced drone platform can eliminate the need for chemical cleaning agents.
Spectacular Results
Powered by 500 bar pressure, a 30 L/min water flow, and a rotary nozzle, the C30 effectively removed years of hardened mash residue, leaving the treated surface visibly clean. The operation was completed efficiently without scaffolding or heavy boom lifts, reducing the need for personnel to work at height. The result: impressive cleaning performance, greater flexibility, and a highly satisfied Viresol Kft. team.
The before-and-after images clearly demonstrate the results of drone-based cleaning: a significant portion of the tank’s surface was cleaned in approximately 1.5 hours. The same task would require considerably more time and labour using conventional manual methods.
Years of stubborn buildup. Water-only cleaning. Impressive results from the air.
With the C30, demanding elevated cleaning tasks can be approached with greater flexibility, while reducing the need for personnel to work at height and avoiding the use of chemical cleaning agents when water alone is sufficient.
