ITC InfraMation - = February 2005

If you can't see the graphic version = of this=20 message please change your profile to receive text messages at=20 {{user("unsubaddr")}}
To view this message on the web go to http://www.itcnews= letter.com/2005/2005-02.htm

February=20 2005

Volume 6, Issue=20 2

In This=20 Issue:=20

Welcome

Advanced Condition Monitoring - Steam Trap = Dynamic=20 Analysis

IR News you can=20 Use

ITC Message Board=20 Posts

Brainteaser of the=20 Month

Last Month's=20 Brainteaser

Past = Issues

Course Calendars

About the=20 ITC

Poll = Position

How do you=20 handle target emissivities when performing=20 thermography?

	I leave the emissivity set = at 1.0 or=20 something close to 1.0
	I use the emissivity tables = built into=20 my camera
	I frequently consult = external=20 emissivity tables
	I frequently measure = emissivities using=20 my camera
	What is=20 emissivity?

view=20 = results

Greetings=20 {{user("firstname")}},

Brrr! Its been=20 cold here in New England. I don't know about this global warming = stuff,=20 but it seems to get colder every winter; though it might have = something to=20 do with my aging metabolism!

But there is=20 hope, at least for this issue. We have a hot article about steam = trap=20 inspection (hmm, a nice steam bath would feel good about now) by = Raphael=20 Danjoux from France. This link will take you right there.

As=20 usual we have our IR News, Message board posts, and our monthly Brainteaser for you to solve. By the way, = nobody guessed=20 last month's brainteaser. Its an interesting one so check it out.

Remember to vote in our quick poll on how use use = emissivities to=20 the left.

If you have an idea for a poll you would like to see, = email=20 me your question and response choices. If we use your poll, we = will send=20 you a thank you gift.

As with all images in this newsletter, = click each=20 image to see a larger version.

If you want to=20 save this newsletter for viewing off line in your computer, just = go to the=20 web page = using=20 your browser and select File....Save As or save this email = page as html in=20 your email software.

See you in=20 March,

Gary=20 Orlove,
Editor and = Publisher

Advanced Condition = Monitoring -=20 Steam Trap Dynamic Analysis [top]

by Raphael = Danjoux, PhD.
ITC=20 France

What is a steam = trap ? How does=20 it work ? How does it fail ? All these subjects are thoroughly = documented=20 on the internet. Because it may affect the performance of a = process if it=20 fails, a steam traps are items that require regular inspections, = and=20 Infrared thermography is an excellent tool.

How do you=20 use a thermography camera to detect a steam trap fault ? =

According to=20 A. Bandes and B. Garelick (in Inspect Steam Traps for Efficient = System.=20 Faulty or inoperative steam traps can cause losses of hundreds of=20 thousands of dollars. Alan Bandes UE Systems, Inc., Elmsford, NY = and Bruce=20 Gorelick Enercbeck Systems, Charlotte, NC), proper thermal = inspection=20 relies on upstream/downstream temperature variations in a = trap.

In = other=20 words, you need to store, and further analyze a sequence to get = full data.=20 Very few customers do that; at least in France; and most = inspections rely=20 on static analysis of a single thermogram. First of all, few = cameras are=20 equipped with such a feature (S60, S65 and others in option). = Then,=20 although sequences can be displayed in ThermaCAM Reporter 7.0, the = software does not allow for time plotting. Reporter 2000 had a = trending=20 function that could do it on a series of single images but not on = a=20 sequence. Its best to use ThermaCAM Researcher!! Here's the basic=20 methodology:

<= BR>Place an analysis area on the output pipe of the = trap.

Choose an=20 analysis function, for instance a rectangle, and place it on the=20 thermogram. We will record the average time vs. temperature data = for this=20 area. In the case of the steam trap, the initial signal is rather = noisy,=20 so a linear smoothing with a (5X1) operator gives a better result = (this=20 can be performed after the data is exported to Excel).

A graph of the smoothed data after exporting to = Excel

For the=20 duration of the acquisition the mean value is 120.26=B0C, the = amplitude=20 (peak to peak) however varies a bit. This latter may be due to all = external factors including; condensate load, steam pressure = variations, or=20 probably the wind in our case. The period, however, looks rather = stable:=20 about 4.2 seconds. The fact that the trap is cycling provides good = evidence that it is operating correctly.

A trap that=20 is not cycling may have failed open, failed closed (in this case = the=20 temperatures may be significantly below saturated steam = temperature at the=20 outlet, or may be undersized for the condensate load (in this case = the=20 temperature upstream of the trap may have a lower than expected=20 temperature). - Editor

A = second=20 sequence was grabbed with 4 steam traps in the field of view. = Since there=20 was no tripod used, a slight movement between each thermogram was=20 noticeable. The complete results, however, are equivalent to those = presented before, and only one thermogram is shown = here.

= =20 = A gang of steam traps.

Conclusion

Considering=20 the steam pressure, the fluid temperature, the type of equipment=20 (discharge volume & duration), the production settings, etc, = it should=20 be possible to define for each steam trap a standard set of = working=20 factors for a reference baseline. Then, monitoring would allow for = tracing=20 a trending curve. These are the basics for condition based = maintenance and=20 predictive maintenance.

You can=20 find a detailed description of the steps used to capture and = analyze these=20 steam trap data for Researcher and many links to steam trap = inspection=20 information by clicking this link=20 (pdf).

IR News you can Use = [top]

Straight from the=20 World wide web, here is what's going on in the world of infrared=20 thermography.

BHSU prof receives grant to study = Mars lava=20 flows
Black = Hills=20 Pioneer, SD - Jan 31, = 2005
...=20 Again, the researchers will conduct simulations with wax and = look at=20 active Hawaiian lava flows with a thermal infrared = camera=20 to get an idea of where lava is ...
Learn how to cool off winter heating=20 bills
Boston=20 Herald, MA - Jan 27, = 2005
...=20 leakage. He'll also demonstrate two diagnostic tools that pros = use: the=20 ``blower-door'' test and infrared-camera = examinations.=20 More ...
New homes designed to save = energy
Billings = Gazette, MT -=20 Jan 23, 2005
... problem spots. To finish = up,=20 they looked throughout the house with an infrared = camera=20 for any leaks they may have missed. The house ... =
What to do after the = deluge
San Francisco=20 Chronicle, CA - Jan 22, = 2005
...=20 That's the infrared camera, which fans of the CBS = series=20 "CSI" might remember lead character Gil Grissom pointing at a = female=20 character and, upon seeing her ...
'The Human Body' invites us to be amazed as never = before by=20 how ...
Indianapolis Star, IN - = Jan 20,=20 2005
... The body's joints behave like = precision=20 machines when computer graphics reveal how a boy's skeleton = works as he=20 bikes to school; thermal imaging shows the hot = ...=20
Tech Searches That Really = Matter
Wired News - = Jan 19,=20 2005
... image on the device's display means. = "A=20 thermal imager is only as good as the operator," = he said.=20 Hagel said his team also utilized ...
Carlos Antonio Rios / Chronicle
Houston = Chronicle, TX -=20 Jan 18, 2005
... the millions of dollars=20 companies spend monitoring each year and recent advances in=20 leak-detection technology =97 including an infrared = camera=20 that can ...
Huygens Landed in Mud
Universe Today - = Jan=20 18, 2005
They reached this conclusion because the = probe's=20 downward-facing High Resolution Thermal Imager = camera lens=20 has accumulated material since Huygens landed. ... =
Anti-tank platoon hunts Iraqi = insurgents
Stars and Stripes, D.C. - = Jan 18,=20 2005
... The thermal imaging = system=20 allows the unit=92s gunners to see differences in temperatures = between=20 men, machinery and the environment, giving them an added edge = ...=20
HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh Opens = Equine Surgical=20 Suite
Equine = World=20 UK, UK - Jan 17, = 2005
... for=20 clinical investigation. Techniques included are ultrasonography, = endososcopy, electrocardiography and thermography. In = support=20 ...
Developing a Refreshment Towel for=20 Men
The = Cosmetic=20 Site, IL - Jan 12, = 2005
...=20 little more challenging. We decided to test the use of=20 thermography as a way of visualizing this benefit for = consumers.=20 Testing was ...=20

ITC Message Board = Posts=20 [top]

Here is a selection = of recent new=20 threads by IR Community members. Feel free to click the links, see = how=20 people have responded, and post your own response if you = like.

Veterinary Thermal Imaging Seminar - March = 2005
Join us=20 at Vetel Diagnostics in San Luis Obispo, California for an = informative 3=20 1/2 day seminar on Veterinary Thermal Imaging, March 10-13, 2005 = at the=20 Sands Motel and Conference Center. 1930 Monterey St. San Luis = Obispo,=20 CA. 93401, Contact Kelly Martin 800-458-8890
Our lead = speakers=20 include Tracy Turner, DVM, and Jim Waldsmith, DVM.

The = tuition=20 is $550.00 per participant and CE credits are offered. You can = find a=20 complete course outline at http://www.veteldiagnostics.com/
Please = contact=20 Kelly Martin at Vetel Diagnostics for any additional information = you=20 require;
1-800-458-8890, 805-781-7691 or Veteldiagnostics@aol.com=20
Mastitis and other bovine applications
I have been asked to speak at an upcoming = dairymans' workshop=20 about the use of IRT for dairy operations. My primary focus will = be=20 electrical, pumping, etc., but I'd like to explore the = veterinary=20 applications as well. I have about a month to collect = information and=20 decide if I even want to cover it.

In the meantime, the = dairy=20 advisor is trying to arrange for me to meet with a local vet who = owns a=20 couple of small dairies, and we hope to collect some data. =

He's=20 got no experience with IRT though, and I'm no veterinarian. I = did take=20 the equine workshop at InfraMation 2004 -- but that doesn't = qualify me=20 to do this stuff as a pro, but I'm hoping that working with a = vet, we=20 can put together an application that may have some value. =

Any=20 pointers to more information about the use of IRT with dairy = herds would=20 be appreciated.
A Drywall Question??
I = have a=20 question, If there is moisture under three layrers of drywall = can a=20 thermal camera see it.

And of course=20 if YOU have a question or want to start a discussion on a = topic, we=20 would love to hear from you. Just post a new thread on a mes= sage=20 board.

Brainteaser of the=20 Month =20 [top]

<= IMG=20 height=3D120 hspace=3D3=20 = src=3D"http://itcnewsletter.com/2005/2005-02_images/Ferrier%20ETS_small.j= pg"=20 width=3D267 align=3Dright vspace=3D3 border=3D1=20 xthumbnail-orig-image=3D"2005-02_images/Ferrier = ETS.jpg">Here is this month's = brainteaser.=20 Readers who email us the correct identification and explanation of = the=20 thermal pattern in the thermogram are entered into a drawing to = win a=20 prize from ITC. Please put "Brainteaser" as the subject of = the=20 message.

Click here to email your = guess

Do you have an interesting image that you think would = stump other=20 thermographers? If so please email me your image (preferably in = native .img,=20 .jpg, .tif, .tgw, or .tmw format) with an accompanying visible = photo and=20 explanation. If your image is used, you receive a gift as=20 well.

Last = Month's=20 Brainteaser [top]

I = think this is the=20 first time that NO ONE was able to guess the brainteaser! = I'll let=20 Andy Whitcher from Tecpinions Ltd. in the UK explain his=20 thermogram:

"About every = four years we=20 shut down our fluid catalytic cracking unit for planned = maintenance.=20 Before we can enter the catalyst regenerator vessel for inspection = we need=20 to remove all of the remaining catalyst. The catalyst is very = similar to=20 fine sand but has a very high heat capacity so it remains hot for = a long=20 time. In the regenerator air is blown through the catalyst bed, = fluidizing=20 it and burning off the carbon which has been deposited on the = surface of=20 the catalyst particles during the cracking reactions of the = hydrocarbon=20 feed. The normal operating temperature in the regenerator is 760C = (1400F).=20 Most of the catalyst is removed as part of the shutdown procedure = but=20 there is always some left in the bottom which has to be removed = with a=20 vacuum truck via water coolers. The attached images show the = catalyst left=20 in the bottom of the regenerator. As it is sucked out by the = vacuum truck=20 the cool surface layer slides down towards the hose nozzle = exposing the=20 hot catalyst just beneath the surface. The images were taken six = days=20 after the unit had been shut down and the maximum temperature was = still=20 around 240C. The large object in the top part of the image is one = of the=20 air arms which blows air through the catalyst bed. Three of the = air=20 nozzles can be seen at the left hand end of the = image.

The most = amazing thing=20 about this shot was that the plant had been shut down and purged = with cold=20 air for 48 hours and then the vessel had been opened for 24 hours = before=20 the image was taken but the catalyst was still at over 200 deg C! = The=20 whole vessel is inspected from the man way before an entry permit = is=20 issued to make sure there is no catalyst sitting on top of the = internal=20 structure. Nobody wants hot catalyst raining down on them. It's = another=20 good example of thermography improving worker = safety."

Since we have no correct guessers, = Andy gets two=20 ITC low = emissivity=20 traveling coffee mugs and a big=20 thanks.

<= /TR>

Past=20 Issues =20 [top]

Click the links = below to view=20 past issues of this newsletter:

All past issues from February = 2000=20 through Januar= y=20 2004

January=20 2005

December=20 2004

November=20 2004

October=20 2004

September = 2004

August=20 2004

July=20 2004

June=20 2004

May=20 2004

April 2004

March 2004

February=20 = 2004

Course Calendars =20 [top]

Click the links = below to see our=20 latest course calendars (in local language).

Americas - Level I

Americas - Level II

Americas - Level III

Americas - Intro to IR

Americas - Building Science

Americas - Electrical

Americas - Roof

Americas - R&D

Eurasia

Deutschland

France

Italia

United=20 = Kingdom

About the Infrared Training=20 Center =20 [top]

The Infrared Training Center offers training and = certification in=20 all aspects of infrared thermography use. Our world-class training = headquarters are located near Boston, Massachusetts, USA and = Stockholm,=20 Sweden and have the world's most extensive hands on laboratories = for=20 infrared applications. In addition, we have training centers = around the=20 world. Please join us in exploring the fascinating world of the = infrared!=20

Your comments and suggestions about this newsletter are = welcomed=20 and encouraged. If you have an interesting application or case = study to=20 share, we encourage you to submit it for publication. Published = articles earn credit towards IR = recertification.

Please e-mail Gary = Orlove or=20 send regular mail to the Americas office.

Visit our website:

ITC Americas, BOSTON

16 Esquire Road
N. Billerica, MA 01862, = USA

Tel: +1-978-901-8405
Toll free:=20 = +1-866-TRAINIR
&= nbsp; =20 (866-872-4647)
Fax: +1.978.901-8832
E-mail: mailto:info_us@infraredtraining.com

ITC Eurasia, SWEDEN

Rinkebyv=E4gen 19
SE-182 11 Danderyd, = Sweden

Tel: +46 (0) 8 753 25 00
Fax: +46 (0) 8 753 26 = 01
E-mail:=20 mailto:itc@flir.se

THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL = PURPOSES ONLY.=20 INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT = WARRANTY=20 OF ANY KIND. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy = and the=20 use of this document. The Infrared Training Center newsletter may = be=20 copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1. All = text=20 and images must be copied without modification and all pages must = be=20 included; 2. All copies must contain the Infrared Training Center=20 copyright notice and any other notices provided therein;
3. = This=20 document may not be distributed for profit

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