Thermography

Introduction to Infrared
Thermography

What is thermography and how can we use it?

This presentation is an introduction to the
technology and some important applications
for it.

Infrared Thermography defined

Infrared thermography is the science of

acquisition and analysis of thermal
information by using non contact thermal
imaging devices.

What makes Thermography

useful?
1.

It is non-contact uses remote sensing

- Keeps the user out of danger
- Does not intrude upon or affect the target at all

2.

It is two dimensional
- Comparison between areas of the target is possible
- The image allows for excellent overview of the target
- Thermal patterns can be visualised for analysis

3.

It is real time
- Enables very fast scanning of stationary targets
- Enables capture of fast moving targets
- Enables capture of fast changing thermal patterns.

Thermography spans many areas..

Analysis
techniques

Radiation
science

Inspection
routines &
reporting

Applications

IRT

Thermal
science

Camera
handling

Condition Monitoring

Electrical Maintenance
Buildings
Furnaces and boilers
Mechanical, friction
Fluid flow problems
Tanks and vessels

Applications

Condition based maintenance

R&D
Medical and veterinary
QC and process monitoring
Non-destructive testing
others

High Voltage substation

Electrical motor windings

Example of a short circuit

Building

Heat Loss

Building Air Leakage

Air leakage round a roof latch

Building Moisture in Roof

Building - Insulation

Worn refractory
insulation causing
hotspot

Furnace items

Furnace tubes &

Burners

Furnace items pressure vessel

Flange Leakage

Low Voltage indoor

Finding problems amongst hundreds of

wires

Electronics

Electronics

Design Verification shows need of redesign

before production starts

Process monitoring (1)

Rotary kiln in cement industry

Process monitoring (2)

Plastic bottle production monitoring

and quality control

Process monitoring (3)

Production monitoring and quality control in

food packaging, automotive industry and
refrigerator products

Quality control

Stud welding

Quality Control (1)

Paper industry

Quality Control (2)

Die casting mould for electric motor

Combustion engine

Ship diesel engine

running improperly

Electric motor bearing

Pump bearing

Belt drive

Loose or tight belt heats up abnormally

Conveyor belts

Tank sediment

Sediment in tank shows up as

cool area at the bottom

Pipe sediment (1)

Sediment creates a cold

spot

Pipe sediment (2)

Tank levels

Indicating the fluid level in storage tank

Valves

Heat exchanger

Blocked heat exchanger section (green arrow)

Medical

Veterinary

Product Development

Radiator core testing

Non destructive testing

Visible at
surface level
Not Visible at
surface level

Click on image

Composite material in aerospace industry

Materials testing

Click on image

Tensile stress

Fluid Flow analysis

Click on image

Research

Research on fruit/vegetable deterioration due

to bad transportation

Agriculture and environmental

Control
Field
watering
condition

Waste
dump
analysis
Forest fire
detection

Aircraft industry