Overview
Furnaces are an obvious infrared subject since they are a source of a lot of thermal energy. External scans of refractory and piping, doors, and internal furnace tube surveys are all common infrared applications.
For external surveys, a wide angle lens is often useful for the close views of the skin from the narrow decking. A telephoto lens is useful for images taken from grade or adjoining furnaces.
For internal surveys, the right type of camera, filters, and lenses are essential. A solid, repeatable process for collecting the data, including target parameters, is absolutely necessary for reliable temperature data. Remember, there are good reasons why facilities want to know an exact tube surface temperature, and any estimations you make in emissivity or other parametes will result in a greater overall margin of error.
Safety is also very important when working with furnaces. Follow site safety procedures for working around open furnace doors and use the buddy system. Watch for tripping hazards on decking, and make sure you don't still have your infrared camera in your hand when you climb ladders. |
Sample IR Images:
- Furnace Tube Survey
- Snuffing Steam Nozzle
- Bottom of Furnace
- Furnace Refractory
- Asphalt Feed Furnace
- Furnace Refractory
- Furnace Tubes
|
1. Furnace Tube Survey
The object of this survey is to identify any possible coking on the inside tube surface. The build-up of coke acts like an insulator reducing the required cooling effect the product has on the tube. Tube life is reduced by deterioration and a rupture is risked. Thermographers can also perform quantitative analysis of tube surfaces to provide temperatures, however this procedure requires careful gathering of object parameters such as emissivity and background reflected temperatures and should not be attempted without a clear knowledge of the possible sources of error.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
2. Snuffing Steam Nozzle
This nozzle on a steam snuffing line was noted on the corner of a furnace during a refractory survey. The line had been prematurely blinded in preparation for an up-coming shutdown and temperatures in excess of 600° C resulted.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
3. Bottom of Furnace
This image shows the bottom of a furnace, including the refractory fastening points and a shallow build-up of ash at the bottom. It is a good example of the fine thermal detail of quality infrared equipment. It also shows the clarity of detail that can be achieved using a black and white palette for some applications.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
4. Furnace Refractory
Furnace refractory breaks down over time, especially along the joints of the pieces of the insulation. Pre-and-post shutdown scans can determine the extent of repairs required and the effectiveness of those repairs.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
5. Asphalt Feed Furnace
Concentrated areas of refractory damage area evident in this image. Trending over time is useful in determining the rate of deterioration of refractory in furnaces.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
6. Furnace Refractory
Furnace refractory breaks down over time, especially along the joints of the pieces of the insulation. Pre-and-post shutdown scans can determine the extent of repairs required and the effectiveness of those repairs.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
7. Furnace Tubes
This image shows furnace tubes through a small inspection port. The proper thermal imaging equipment with the appropriate filters and correct inspection procedures are required for these types of inspections.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
Overview
Furnaces are an obvious infrared subject since they are a source of a lot of thermal energy. External scans of refractory and piping, doors, and internal furnace tube surveys are all common infrared applications.
For external surveys, a wide angle lens is often useful for the close views of the skin from the narrow decking. A telephoto lens is useful for images taken from grade or adjoining furnaces.
For internal surveys, the right type of camera, filters, and lenses are essential. A solid, repeatable process for collecting the data, including target parameters, is absolutely necessary for reliable temperature data. Remember, there are good reasons why facilities want to know an exact tube surface temperature, and any estimations you make in emissivity or other parametes will result in a greater overall margin of error.
Safety is also very important when working with furnaces. Follow site safety procedures for working around open furnace doors and use the buddy system. Watch for tripping hazards on decking, and make sure you don't still have your infrared camera in your hand when you climb ladders. |
Sample IR Images:
- Furnace Tube Survey
- Snuffing Steam Nozzle
- Bottom of Furnace
- Furnace Refractory
- Asphalt Feed Furnace
- Furnace Refractory
- Furnace Tubes
|
1. Furnace Tube Survey
The object of this survey is to identify any possible coking on the inside tube surface. The build-up of coke acts like an insulator reducing the required cooling effect the product has on the tube. Tube life is reduced by deterioration and a rupture is risked. Thermographers can also perform quantitative analysis of tube surfaces to provide temperatures, however this procedure requires careful gathering of object parameters such as emissivity and background reflected temperatures and should not be attempted without a clear knowledge of the possible sources of error.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
2. Snuffing Steam Nozzle
This nozzle on a steam snuffing line was noted on the corner of a furnace during a refractory survey. The line had been prematurely blinded in preparation for an up-coming shutdown and temperatures in excess of 600° C resulted.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
3. Bottom of Furnace
This image shows the bottom of a furnace, including the refractory fastening points and a shallow build-up of ash at the bottom. It is a good example of the fine thermal detail of quality infrared equipment. It also shows the clarity of detail that can be achieved using a black and white palette for some applications.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
4. Furnace Refractory
Furnace refractory breaks down over time, especially along the joints of the pieces of the insulation. Pre-and-post shutdown scans can determine the extent of repairs required and the effectiveness of those repairs.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
5. Asphalt Feed Furnace
Concentrated areas of refractory damage area evident in this image. Trending over time is useful in determining the rate of deterioration of refractory in furnaces.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
6. Furnace Refractory
Furnace refractory breaks down over time, especially along the joints of the pieces of the insulation. Pre-and-post shutdown scans can determine the extent of repairs required and the effectiveness of those repairs.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents
7. Furnace Tubes
This image shows furnace tubes through a small inspection port. The proper thermal imaging equipment with the appropriate filters and correct inspection procedures are required for these types of inspections.
You may left-click on the picture for an expanded view.
Table of Contents