Product category:
Temperature sensors
News Release from: Flir Systems
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 22 November 2000
Cooled and uncooled thermal imaging
The management at ICI (Chlor-Chemicals) attaches considerable importance to its condition monitoring programme using a FLIR Systems ThermaCAM thermal imaging camera.
The management at ICI (Chlor-Chemicals) attaches considerable importance to its condition monitoring programme It has proven benefits in the promotion of safe process systems, the considerable reduction of environmental incidents, the increase of energy efficiency, the enhancement of plant reliability and the reduction of operating costs
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 29 Jun 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Thermal imaging keep delivering for Royal Mail
At the Royal Mail, all critical systems in every sorting office throughout the UK are checked every month, using FLIR Systems thermal imaging equipment
The affordable, uncooled thermal imaging camera
With the introduction of the new ThermaCAM SC500, FLIR Systems is able to extend the benefits of its patented solid state microbolometer detector techlogy to the R and D community.
Central to the infrared programme is a FLIR Systems ThermaCAM thermal imaging camera.
Purchased two years ago, it too has proven its worth time and time again.
One recent example was the detection of a major fault with a transformer that could have resulted in the loss of power to the entire facility.
Further reading
Potential incidents averted at ICI using camera
A Flir Systems Thermacam thermal imaging camera purchased two years ago has proven its worth time and time again in the condition monitoring programme at ICI (Chlor - Chemicals)
Why it has never been easier to use thermography
The ThermaCAM PM 695 thermographic camera uses MicroIRT technology, a patented third generation uncooled microbolometer FPA detector which has nearly 77,000 measurement points
A large team of Manweb engineers had to be deployed to rectify the problem but thanks to the FLIR Systems camera, a potential incident was averted.
The success of the IR programme has naturally led to plans for its expansion but clearly without further investment, both manpower and resources would be increasingly under strain.
So, a second technician has been appointed within the Reliability Support Group and a second FLIR Systems camera added to its inventory.
The new camera is a ThermaCAM PM595 model whose uncooled technology complements the existing cooled camera perfectly.
"Our first camera has been required to operate in harsh chemical environments on most working days," explained Condition Monitoring Technician, Austin Dunne.
"So our primary reason for purchasing a second camera was to ensure that we wouldn't be without this vital piece of equipment during routine maintenance for example." However, the respective cooled and uncooled technologies have also been found to have distinct areas of excellence.
"On applications that require analysis of close temperature spans, the cooled camera is the preferred instrument," continued Austin Dunne.
"Thanks to its longwave operation, the uncooled camera is not affected by the solar radiation and is therefore more suited to outside work.
It also has the flexibility of wide temperature ranges and is less sensitive to the effects of high magnetic fields." As a result low temperature applications are being carried out by the cooled ThermaCAM PM250.
Outdoor surveys and higher temperature work - and in particular imaging applications near cellrooms, transformers and rectifiers - are now the preserve of the new, uncooled ThermaCAM PM595.
For ICI (Chlor - Chemicals), investment in the latest thermal imaging technology was certainly important but so too was accurate temperature measurement and high image quality.
The combination of both cooled and uncooled technologies provides the best in all areas and will ensure the company continues to enjoy the benefits of maximum plant utilisation. Request free introductory details about products from Flir Systems ...
• Flir Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
