Test of minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) for thermal imaging system
27. 4. 2020
Fever screening measuring procedure using thermal camera
25. 6. 2020The efficiency of a rotary kiln depends on its overall condition. Of particular importance is the condition of the refractory lining, which prevents excessive damage to the casing.
Due to the very high temperatures at which the rotary kilns operate (outer surface usually around 450 °C; refractory lining around 2,000 °C), thermovision monitoring is essential to avoid severe damage.
Early detection of hotspots can prevent major furnace failure, which has enormous economic costs. Using thermal cameras, it is also possible to reduce overall maintenance costs, as thermal imaging can detect any incompatibilities much earlier than other methods.
Task specification
For effective thermovision monitoring of rotary kilns, several important factors need to be met. It is necessary to approach the solution in a complex way so that there are no “blind spots” that the thermal camera could miss. For this reason, it is much more advantageous to use static cameras than manual thermal cameras, possibly in combination with thermal cameras attached, for example, to a drone. The thermal camera suitable for this application must also have a large temperature range.
An important feature that the monitoring system must possess is the ability to take real-time measurements. Due to timely intervention in the event of problems, it is advisable to continuously monitor the areas of interest and, in the case of any problems, immediately intervene and shut down the device in time.
Task solution
Workswell s.r.o. provides a suitable solution for continuous monitoring of rotary kilns (e.g. in cement plants) using the SAFETIS system of stationary thermovision cameras. The thermovision camera has a temperature range with an optional external filter ranging from +400 °C to +1,500°C. A major feature of SAFETIS infrared cameras is the ability to continuously monitor the area 24/7 and alert the operator to any kind of danger immediately after the set of temperature values is exceeded. A key benefit of SAFETIS cameras, together with the software supplied, is the option to simultaneously connect up to 16 SAFETIS cameras, which enables to monitor very large areas. The SAFETIS Control Unit is used to compile signals from up to 16 SAFETIS thermovision cameras.
The SAFEFTIS thermovision camera has several robust coverage options, ensuring with confidence that it can be perfectly adapted to the environment where it will be used. The SAFETIS Exproof system is designed especially for explosive environments, whereas the SAFETIS Outdoor safety system works in any outdoor environment, even in strong wind or smoke. Workswell SAFETIS cameras safely differentiate between the area of interest (the rotary kiln shell) and the surrounding environment (or the surrounding equipment), which is another major advantage.
Another option to effectively monitor this application is to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) together with a thermovision camera (e.g. Workswell WIRIS Pro or Workswell WIRIS Security). The advantage of this solution can be the rapid movement of the thermovision camera and thus shots from many different angles and inaccessible places. SAFETIS cameras are also of great benefit because of the option of continuous monitoring. The ideal combination is the use of both approaches.
