Pipelines are important equipment for production. Thermal imaging cameras are used to detect pipeline blockage, thinning, corrosion, leakage, and other faults, so as to avoid harm to the environment and personnel. We can also use thermal imaging cameras to detect and evaluate the insulation of pipelines, thereby reducing energy consumption and achieving energy-saving effects. The following is the specific detection application of infrared temperature cameras in industrial pipelines.

Pipeline inspection application

(1) The pipeline is blocked, and the temperature difference between the blocked part and other parts of the heat capacity is different. These temperature differences are transmitted to the pipeline shell, and the infrared thermal imager can be applied to the outside of the pipeline to capture the fault.

(2) The inner wall of the pipeline is thinned due to wear or corrosion, and its temperature will be higher than the normal temperature so that the fault can be detected.

(3) Due to large local temperature fluctuations in the pipeline, thermal fatigue of the material causes cracks and leakage. The medium in the pipeline will leak at the fault location. If the medium in the pipeline is a low-temperature medium (such as ammonia) or a high-temperature medium, the pipeline leaks the medium Unlike the temperature difference of the outer wall of the pipe, the fault can be captured by an infrared thermal imager.

(4) The heat preservation of the pipe falls off, and the temperature at the place where it falls off is too high, which can be clearly displayed in the thermal image. Infrared thermal imaging cameras can also be used to detect the temperature of pipelines as a basis for judging whether the heat preservation has reached the specified effect.

(5) The heat exchanger tube is blocked or internally leaked, which will reduce the heat exchange efficiency, affect normal production and cause energy waste. You can use a thermal imaging camera to check for failures.

(6) The heating furnace or reactor tube working in a high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive environment will cause hot spots, cracks, carburization, oxidation, thermal cracking, thinning, etc., which will seriously affect its service life.

Using a thermal temperature camera to test the furnace tube in the furnace through the peephole, the thermal image of the fault can be obtained, which provides a basis for the implementation of repairing the furnace tube.

Advantages of using thermal imaging cameras

(1) Carbon deposits, thinning, cracks in pipelines; failures such as internal leakage and blockage of heat exchangers, reactors, and other equipment are often invisible to the naked eye. Thermal imaging cameras can detect subtle temperature changes. On this basis, we can quickly determine the fault.

(2) In addition to taking infrared images, it is helpful to identify and locate the fault, so that the fault can be repaired correctly in a short time.

(3) The thermal imager is equipped with powerful software for storing and analyzing thermal images and generating professional reports. Through this software, key parameters such as emissivity, reflection temperature compensation, and color palette can be adjusted in the image downloaded from the thermal imager, and these can be performed in the office, which improves the safety and convenience of inspection.

Possible detection problems

(1) If the pipeline insulation layer is thick, the internal temperature difference is not easily transmitted to the pipeline surface, so it is more difficult to measure the fault point.

(2) Some pipeline shells are made of bright iron or stainless steel, with low emissivity and high reflectivity, which easily reflect nearby high-temperature radiation sources into the infrared thermal imaging camera, causing serious interference; when shooting such pipelines, leakage may occur. Paint (any color) at the corners, tees, and welding seams of the steel plate to improve the emissivity of this part.

(3) When inspecting the furnace tube, the gas, steam, and carbon dioxide in the reactor/heating furnace have an absorption effect on infrared rays, so it is necessary to add a filter to the thermal imager for inspection. The shell of the pipeline is usually at ambient temperature.

When using infrared thermal imaging for detection, the temperature difference of the shell is relatively small. To obtain a clear infrared thermal image, we recommend:

(1) For occasions with small temperature differences, try to choose an infrared thermal imager with high thermal sensitivity.

(2) Take care to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible when shooting. The liquid level line in the shadow is not easy to be interfered with by sunlight, and the effect is better.

(3) When shooting, pay attention to observe whether there are other heat sources around, especially for pipelines with brighter surfaces, the shell is easier to reflect the surrounding heat sources, causing detection interference, so if there is a heat source around during shooting, please change the shooting angle.

(4) First use the automatic mode to measure the temperature range of the pipe; then manually set the level and span, set the temperature range to a small value, and include the previously measured temperature range (the small temperature range of each instrument is different).

(5) For pipelines that use highly reflective metal materials such as aluminum foil or stainless steel as the outer layer, paint (any color) can be sprayed on the corners, tees, and welds that are prone to leakage to improve the part. The emissivity.

In addition to its excellent performance in detecting industrial pipelines, thermal imaging cameras are also widely used in other fields. If you want to know more information, you can contact us to get the solution of temperature sensor cameras.

With experienced manufacturing experience and excellent R&D technology, we have become one of the leading thermal imager manufacturers. We have a standardized production department and a complete quality management system to provide customers with high-quality products. At the same time, we can also provide thoughtful one-stop service and effective solutions according to customer needs. If you want to buy our thermal imaging camera, please contact us immediately!