Page 28 - CIJ April 2025- Digital Edition

COVER STORY

Cleaning Duct with Robotic Precision

The scope and significance of duct cleaning in industrial and institutional facilities is growing rapidly,
especially with the increasing demand for high indoor air quality, energy efficiency and infection
control. What was once a neglected aspect of maintenance is now gaining attention with the
introduction of robotic technology, which allows for deeper, safer, and more measurable cleaning —
especially in critical environments such as healthcare, food processing, and manufacturing.
Abhay Shukla, Manager, Shukla Enterprises shares insights with Clean India Journal on duct cleaning
and its significance for a cleaner and healthier India.

Technological various sustainability goals. Clean infections, and extend the life of
Innovations in Duct ducts reduce the load on HVAC equipment by minimizing dust and
grease build-up.
systems, thereby decreasing
Cleaning energy and fuel consumption. The overall result is a
“Modern duct cleaning As temperature is achieved measurable reduction in carbon
systems now incorporate robotic more quickly and maintained emissions and maintenance costs.
equipment capable of cleaning more efficiently, energy usage is Facilities that adopt scheduled
both horizontal and vertical optimised. Additionally, clean duct maintenance are also better
ducts. These robots are fitted with ducts improve indoor air quality, positioned to meet green building
cameras and sensors to assess the reduce the spread of airborne standards and audit requirements.
internal condition of ducts, detect
grease accumulation, and measure
airflow restrictions,” shares Abhay.
A recent advancement has
enabled service providers to clean
vertical ducts up to 171 metres in
a single operation, using a ‘one-in,
one-out’ system that eliminates
the need for multiple access
points. This not only improves
cleaning efficiency but also
reduces disruption in operational
environments.
Such innovations have proved
effective in facilities where
manual access is limited or poses
a safety risk. For example, in
a multi-storey hotel kitchen, a
robotic system was used to clean
the entire vertical exhaust duct
without dismantling any part of
the existing structure. The process
was completed in less than a day,
with minimal downtime.

Contribution to
Sustainability
Regular duct cleaning supports

28 APRIL 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com