Geo Therm Ltd

Infrared Thermography is the technique for producing a visible image of invisible infrared energy emitted by objects due to their thermal condition. The heat detectors or focal plane array transform the infrared radiation to electrical signals; the conversion of electrical signals to a visual image or thermogram is displayed in real time on a viewing monitor. Typically the lighter the colour of the thermogram the hotter the object, the darker the cooler. The electronics housed within the camera permits for false colour images to be displayed, making interpretation of thermal patterns more discernible.

All objects have a temperature above absolute zero (0 K) emit electromagnetic energy. Therefore all objects we encounter in our daily lives radiate thermal energy within 3.0-14mm portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared energy is generated by the vibration and rotation of atoms and molecules. The higher the temperature of an object, the more the motion and hence the more infrared energy emitted. Infrared energy behaves similarly to visible light; it travels through space at the speed of light and can be reflected, refracted, absorbed and emitted. As humans, we primarily feel the thermal radiant energy from the Sun or the radiant energy from a fire on our face. However, our eyes cannot detect subtle differences in thermal infrared energy emanating from the real world objects because our eyes are primarily sensitive to short-wave visible light within 0.4-0.7mm of the electromagnetic spectrum Since our eyes are not sensitive to the reflective infrared (0.7-3.0mm), or thermal infrared energy (3.0-14mm) engineers have developed 'focal plane array' detectors sensitive to minute fluctuations to thermal radiation. Housed in cameras resembling a typical camcorder allow thermographers to sense a previously invisibly world of information in the form of heat images called thermograms or thermographs

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of different electromagnetic radiations ordered by either frequency or wavelength (or both). Ranging from low-frequency (high wavelength) radio waves, through microwaves, infrared waves, light (the visible spectrum - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet), continues through ultra violet waves and X-rays, to very high frequency (short wavelength) gamma rays. In general, electromagnetic waves are set up by electrical and magnetic vibrations occurring in atoms. Travelling at the speed of light the electric and magnetic fields are propagated through time and space at right angles to each other and to the direction of propagation in discontinuous units called photons. The connection between the electromagnetic spectrum and radiation is best served with an example: when an object is inadvertently heated the radiation is predominately emitted in the infrared, placing your hand over the object one can feel but not observe the effects of its warming. As the temperature of the object increases, the characteristics of the radiation change, the object begins to visually turn red and you can feel the heat at a greater distance. Because the object temperature increases then accordingly the wavelength decreases to enter into the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the result is a potentially catastrophic failure or fire if not detected beforehand with an infrared inspection.

Infrared thermography is being used by all major industries to help solve maintenance problems, improve safe working conditions, control manufacturing costs, to detecting heat loss and construction flaws in buildings. When we are ill, one of the first things we do is take our temperature. If our temperature is elevated it usually means something is wrong. Similarly, identifying and comparing component temperatures helps us to identify many problems in their early stages often before they can be seen or found in any other way. A temperature difference, usually an abnormal hot spot, is typically associated with high electrical resistance or excessive friction. It is the job of the thermographer to analyse, record and report these 'hot spots' thereby identify operational equipment that may potentially pose a hazard to plant integrity and operational efficiency, more importantly, identifying faulty equipment to minimise personnel risk. Since our cameras have a sensitivity of 0.5^oC with a detectable temperature range from -10^oC to 1500^oC allows our thermographers to detect hot or cold thermal anomalies before a lost-time incident occurs.

Infrared imaging is a non-intrusive, non-contact and cost effective inspection method that uses handheld portable equipment to capture energy losses or gains to help solve many costly maintenance problems in your plant or work site. Used while your plant is operational ensures continual turnover of product and revenue, whilst indirectly assisting preventative maintenance procedures in locating faulty machinery for repair or replacement in readiness for scheduled shutdowns. The bottom line is using thermal infrared thermography ensures a huge cost saving in machinery and labour from unscheduled shutdowns.

If you are responsible for the prevention of an unexpected breakdown, insulation failure or ultimately a fire, or if you are responsible for the planning of shutdowns - then YES, there is no substitute for infrared thermography. For instance, a survey conducted by an insurance company revealed that loose connections from switchboards, switches, circuit breakers and cables resulted in 25% of all electrical equipment failures. Using thermal infrared thermography would have located these high resistant areas in a fraction of time then any other inspection method. The identification of just one critical hot spot or a myriad of hot spots will underline the requirement for such an inspection programme and direct maintenance priorities before an unscheduled shutdown occurs. Thus ensuring a healthy maintenance regime and turnover. Simply put, the cost of one or regular thermal inspections performed by Geo Therm Ltd. will be paid for many times over by the elimination of just one unscheduled failure.

Yes, measuring moving targets is one of the many benefits of using this non-invasive form of inspection. This is due to the quantity and sensitivity of the focal plane array detector within the camera, with over seventy four thousand detector elements on each array allows more photons of energy from the instantaneous field of view to be recorded while simultaneously resolving minute temperature differences in real time. This makes thermal infrared process monitoring extremely practical, particularly were high volume production lines are in force.

The 'greenish' images relayed to the eye from night vision goggles are derived from the intensification of minute amounts of light i.e. moonlight and starlight. Thermal imaging works by detecting heat energy being radiated by objects that require absolutely no light. Too much bright light can blind night vision goggles whilst totally un-affecting thermal imaging cameras.

Inspecting all equipment in any plant is not always possible. Inspection frequencies varying from one piece of equipment or plant to the other which invariably necessitates establishing inspection routes in an efficient manner, while allowing enough flexibility so planned routes can evolve over time to better reflect actual needs. Working 'instep' with industry involves initial project planning to facilitate a smooth thermography programme or survey. This includes the identification of key players i.e. safety personnel, maintenance and engineering staff, the location of existing information, the prioritising of equipment and repair histories and equipment criticality to allow ourselves to move forward toward the results you are looking for. At Geo Therm Ltd., we pride ourselves at working 'instep' with our clients offering invaluable assistance at helping define their thermographic needs making recommendations where necessary to enhance equipment reliability and your position in the market place.

The facilities inspection report is the final step in the infrared process. Our report includes all parts of the inspection process, from exceptional quality survey design in preparing the survey, to asking the questions and collecting the answers in the form of data that is analysed, compiled and presented to you as meaningful and easy-to-understand format. Your company will receive a printed report of the problems detected, showing the location of the problem on the colour thermogram and digital image of each anomaly, with a brief detail of each problem and level of importance for repair. Included with the report is a copy of the report on CD-Rom disc, subject to the scope of the workload reports have a normal turnaround period of five working days following the end of the inspection.

Additional benefits from implementing a thermography program can trigger reductions in insurance premiums. During scheduled shutdowns thermography inspections can actively encourage quality control measures verifying and evaluating repaired work or procurement of new plant and building installations. The location of heat loss and air leaks from buildings with no or little insulation, thermography can also assist in-house concerns at pursuing environmental goals to limit levels of carbon dioxide emissions through the burning of fossil fuels, in-effect saving more money on heating expenditure. It is now law to have an air leakage test of all new commercial or industrial building before it is commissioned, Building Regulations, Part L). Companies with a well-developed infrared program combined with air leakage testing are finding returns on their investments in excess of 30:1; instigating an infrared program and air leakage test will quickly pay its way and then begin adding to the profit margin to your company.

This is quite true, although the answer can be as complex as the environment. Since the Sun is the prime cause of weather, differential heating upon the Earth's surfaces will directly influence solar loading on those areas being surveyed. The amount of this heating varies a large amount depending on the angle of the surface, the colour of the surface, and the shading and reflection from adjacent surfaces. The differences in solar loading directly influences surface air pressures and hence size, shape, and orientation of winds, in addition to precipitation quantities. These varied meteorology effects close to the intended target and factors including severity criteria guidelines, including direct or indirect measurement, equipment type and load, and the severity of the environmental parameters all influence the thermographers evaluation of the potential problems that can be encountered. Such is our commitment and flexibility that even at short notice we can tailor infrared operations to suit operational and environmental conditions, thereby 'minimizing downtime to achieve best results from best practices' that you can act on.

The use of thermal infrared cameras offer little risk to the thermographer or to other personnel working within the vicinity of the inspection, since it passively senses infrared radiation emitted from the target object. This means that it is safe to view energised electrical systems or moving parts without physically touching or dismantling them. (Due to legality constraints our personnel are inhibited to open or physically touch open panels or protective guards). Lightweight and portable with lenses to offer different magnifications in addition to the use of mirrors further limits potential operational risks, as proximity between thermographer and target objects are easily obtained. This also means that the actual thermal characteristics of the material or process are unaffected. Such is the safe operation that it is an aid in medical diagnoses, since it is used to determine thermal patterns on the skin surface that can be indicative of disease and inflammation.

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