Infrared Thermography is a type of Thermography that uses infrared light to detect heat.
The method of employing a thermal imager to detect radiation (heat) from an object, convert it to temperature, and display an image of the temperature distribution is known as infrared Thermography. Thermograms are images of the measured temperature distribution that allow heat-producing things that are not apparent to the human eye to be seen. Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring are common applications.
Thermal imagers can detect infrared wavelengths regardless of ambient light since everything above zero gives out thermal infrared radiation. Using night-vision goggles to see objects in the dark is a common example.
The technique does have certain drawbacks. To interpret the results requires a certain experience and knowledge. Obtaining high accuracy can be difficult due to varying emissivity of the different materials; reflections from other surfaces; and other characteristics
Infrared Thermography is utilized in a wide range of industries and applications, including the following:
- Monitoring the machine’s health
- Moisture, roof, and energy-loss examinations are all common building diagnostics.
- Peripheral vascular disease, thyroid problems, metabolic and inflammatory condition monitoring are all things that medical imaging can help with.
- Security imaging and law enforcement
- Imaging chemistry
- The imagery of the Earth
- System monitoring for electrical systems
- Controlling the fluid system
Infrared Thermography is employed in applications such as plant maintenance and condition monitoring.
- Keeping an eye on a motor’s electrical and mechanical state
- Inspected bearings (abnormal bearing friction)
- Refractory insulation is being closely monitored.
- Detecting the presence of gases, liquids, and muck
Infrared Thermography’s primary objective is to validate that machinery operates normally and detect anomalous heat patterns within a machine, indicating inefficiency and faults. For asset managers responsible for condition monitoring, inspecting mechanical equipment with infrared Thermography is a huge benefit. However, although infrared imagers are simple to operate, it cannot be easy to decipher the data they generate. Therefore, not only should you understand how infrared imagers function, but you should also have a basic understanding of radiometry and heat transport mechanisms.
What difficulties can infrared imaging reveal?
Thermal anomalies in equipment can be a sign of trouble ahead. Because this science can detect heat patterns in the infrared wavelength spectrum that aren’t visible to the naked eye, it can help you spot faulty components early on.
A thermal camera takes an image you may enhance with multiple color palettes and highlights tools to quickly identify a potential problem, rather than providing a numerical test result with various test meters. In addition, you can get a better picture (literally and figuratively) of the actual conditions when the equipment is under strain since you can take infrared photographs without making direct touch with them.
Most thermal cameras also gather “radiometric” data, which means that each pixel in the image has an apparent temperature. So when you find an anomaly, you may easily dig down to view the alleged temperatures of the specific points in question to see if they’re within the normal range.
Because you couldn’t see it without a thermal camera, infrared Thermography can open your eyes to a new universe of data that’s always been around you but that you’ve never been aware of.
Infrared Thermography Technology Benefits
- It is possible to make a wide-area comparison of surface temperature distribution.
- The temperature can be detected for a moving object or one that is risky to approach.
- It is possible to measure the temperature of a small object without being confused with the temperature of a larger entity.
- In a sanitary manner, the temperature of food, medicine, or chemicals can be determined.
- It is possible to measure the temperature of an object that has experienced a rapid temperature change or an event over a short period.
Maintenance Operations with Infrared Thermography
Almost all industries advocate infrared Thermography as a preventive maintenance method. You won’t find another solution that can provide precise, real-time data without interrupting the process flow or shutting down your systems. Integrating infrared Thermography into your routine maintenance operations is an excellent approach to detecting anomalies in components and machinery quickly. When you use baseline thermography on new equipment or after it has been repaired, you’ll get a set of thermal images to compare all subsequent tests, making it easier to diagnose future difficulties.