Supervision of critical installations
The monitoring of critical installations with an automated thermographic system makes it possible to identify anomalous thermal patterns that may evolve into a system failure. In this way, preventive action can be taken to avoid costly production stoppages. The most common installations monitored are electrical substations, turbines, compressors or combustion flares, among others.
Critical live systems and equipment
Gas Detection Thermography (OGI)
Very high temperature applications
Critical services and communications
Critical live systems and equipment
A failure in critical systems and equipment under voltage can cause serious damage due to the loss of supply for a few hours. Thanks to the use of thermography for maintenance inspections, we can anticipate any possible failure or problem in facilities such as the electrical distribution network, transformer stations or data processing centers, among others.
Examples of applications
Electrical distribution network
The electrical distribution sector is a pioneer in thermography for electrical predictive maintenance. Currently, thermographic inspections are carried out periodically with a portable camera, but also in inspection flights using a helicopter or a drone with a built-in thermographic camera.
Transformer station
Transformer stations are critical facilities for a country's electrical system. By means of the IRTIM thermographic monitoring system, it is possible to control the operating status of the critical points of transformers and service connections in real time and at all times.
Data processing center
Data Centers provide the server service with which companies and individuals access the network. If the web system of several companies is down for a few hours, this can cause serious damage. Using the IRTIM thermography monitoring system, hot spots are detected before they become a problem for the operation of the servers.
Infrared window protection
Electrical switchgear and connections inside an electrical cabinet or enclosure require the installation of infrared windows for inspection by thermography, otherwise it is not possible to monitor the temperature. Proper instrumentation of the electrical installation with IR windows will protect you and your installation.
Gas Detection Thermography (OGI)
A gas leak can pose a serious risk to an industrial facility, its personnel and the environment. Thanks to the use of thermal imaging cameras for gas detection (OGI) it is possible to detect leaks and repair them before they can pose a threat.
Examples of applications
Refinery gas leaks
In a refinery, a hydrocarbon gas leak poses a very serious risk to personnel, the industrial facility and the environment. Thermal imaging cameras for gas detection (OGI) can detect these leaks, either during routine inspections by personnel or automatically using the TIM system.
Gas leaks in ATEX environments
There are thermographic cameras for gas leak detection suitable for working in ATEX classified areas, both in portable camera format to be used by an operator, and in automatic multi-point inspection format by means of a fixed camera mounted in a Pan&Tilt housing for ATEX protected environment.
Landfill gas detection
Waste landfills are one of the largest sources of man-made methane. A landfill gas leak is a source of contamination and a risk for the integrity of the personnel and the plant. Using special thermography techniques (OGI) it is possible to detect these leaks at a distance and act on them before they become a real danger.
CO2 leakage in generation turbines
By means of special equipment and techniques it is possible to detectCO2 leaks in installations such as generation turbines or exhaust lines. It is also possible to useCO2 as a tracer gas in any type of pipelines, if it is used with concentrations of 3 or 4%. This technique makes it possible to carry out diagnostics and thus check repairs in large pipelines.
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Very high temperature/refractory applications
Industrial furnaces are installations that are forced to work at very high temperatures. If we do not detect and control the hot spots in the lining, this can lead to uneven wear that can result in a system failure with catastrophic consequences. Thanks to the use of thermography and automation systems we can control in real time the state of the refractory and its wear.
Examples of applications
Pipe condition in reformers
The working temperature of the tubes in a reformer furnace is critical, as it affects both the performance of the plant and its service life. Thermography is used to monitor the working temperature of individual tubes in real time and through control openings/windows, both with a FLIR GF309 handheld camera and with a fixed boroscopic thermal imaging camera.
Cement rotary kilns
In the operation of Kiln rotary kilns, it is very important to detect hot spots in the refractory lining to prevent catastrophic failures in the system. Using the IRTIM manufacturing system and taking advantage of the rotary movement of the kiln, it is possible to monitor the condition of the refractory in an automated way and in real time.
Refractory in smelting furnace
In these installations, the refractory material that suffers the most is the one located in the impact zones of the molten steel. The material is subject to heavy wear and tear, and the de-slagging and cleaning of the bottoms requires frequent repairs. Precise control of the refractory's condition makes it possible to space out and reduce repair costs.
Glass and ceramics industry
In this type of furnace, the refractory is particularly stressed by the chemical reactions of the gases. The hottest points in vaults and walls are the most suitable to be monitored in real time by thermography. With precise control over the condition of the refractory, it is possible to extend operation between shutdowns.
Critical services and communications
Some services and communications networks cannot afford failures due to the great impact they have on the day-to-day life of citizens. Equipment such as hospitals or pumping stations, or infrastructures such as railroads or road traffic networks, among others, use thermography to guarantee the correct operation and suitability of their installations at all times.
Examples of applications
Railway systems
The rail network, whether high-speed, conventional or metro class, is a critical infrastructure and has significant electrical complexity. Often, conventional thermographic inspections must be performed on the system, but also automated inspections using thermal imaging cameras mounted on a carriage.
Hospitals
Hospitals provide an essential and critical service to society and are prepared to respond to major demands such as multiple accidents, infectious diseases, attacks, etc. A good thermography program will allow the hospital to have the facilities in an optimal state to respond to any demand.
Road communication
In road traffic, tunnels and bridges are critical points for safety and communication. Thermography is used to detect defects and anomalies in the powertrain of trucks and buses, especially in brakes, bearings and tires, which can lead to accidents and even fires.
Pumping stations
Pumping stations are essential to provide services to society. Depending on the needs and criticality, it is possible to perform a thermographic inspection every six months or annually. For system-critical equipment, a monitoring solution using a fixed thermographic camera and the IRTIM manufacturing.