However, it flies low, about three meters from the ground, but it can disinfect one hectare (10,000 square meters) in a period of eight to 10 minutes. The Pelicano 2020 drone, by SkyDrones from Porto Alegre, is one of the initiatives designed by volunteers and companies to help the Capital in the fight against the coronavirus.
Therefore, an unmanned aircraft went into action in a test carried out in Parque Harmonia and on the edge of Guaíba last Tuesday (24).
The drone is seen as an efficient alternative for disinfecting open environments: it can carry 10 kilos of chemicals, does not involve exposing people and can act on up to 25 hectares in a single day, including areas that are difficult to access. The aircraft in question was adapted from an agricultural vehicle that sprays products over large planted areas.
Company
– We have already used this sprayer to fight the zika virus, which was called the “zika killer”. We are the oldest company in Brazil in the development of unmanned aircraft. We offered to help in this atypical moment – says the founding director of the company, Ulf Bogdawa.
However partners in China, SkyDrones requested disinfection protocols to know about applied products. From this, the substances were dosed, with the support of the Chemistry Institute of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).
Drones were used in different places around the world during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to China, France and Belgium, among other countries, also used the aircraft to spray products and also inform about coping measures.
However, as the company has test equipment available, it made itself available, free of charge, to help the city of Porto Alegre in the disinfection of public environments.
– It is another technology that we produce for one purpose, but that can also be used for another – celebrates Bogdawa.
Now, it is up to the Executive to have the final word and define the need on the subject. For the Secretary of Health of Porto Alegre, Pablo Stürmer, the idea comes to help:
– I found the proposal very interesting. It is a very practical way of spreading chemicals. I requested efficacy tests, to find out how long the product actually stays applied to the surface, so that we could consider applying it on a large scale. It is in the study phase – he says.
Drone Feasibility
Although the Secretary of Urban Services, Ramiro Rosário, points out that cleaning and disinfection actions are already being taken in the Capital. The acquisition of inputs was made, and the number of teams increased. The work is done in open and closed areas, such as public restrooms, where liquid soap was made available. The initiative, however, is seen with good eyes:
– If we manage to mechanize actions with other types of efficient equipment, it's great. In addition to the positive points already highlighted, the drone is good for uneven surfaces and very wide places. It was a first test, and we still need to have proven its effectiveness to use it as a resource for the city.
For now, there is no scheduled date for the next test.
However, as the equipment has already been made available by the company, the cost is not high to maintain this procedure on a large scale. According to the company, each drone flight spends around R$ 150.
Though the costs involve the batteries needed for the drones and also the chemicals. The idea is to make a partnership for donations by other companies or institutions.
As a researcher at the UFRGS Institute of Chemistry, Nadya Pesce da Silveira points out that the sprayed chemicals are similar to those used at home, based on chlorine. The difference is that it is dispersed with small particles that carry the product.
