Thermography Techniques for Rotating and Stationary Equipment

During the 1960s, commercial thermography was very limited for plant operations. An instrument that weighed 85 pounds, required a 110-volt power supply, and was cooled by liquid nitrogen was the best equipment to produce a useful thermal picture, 

The real power of thermography is that it allows us to quickly locate and monitor problems, and present critical decision-making information in visual/orm making it easy for management to understand. Infrared imaging systems, as they are generally called, produce a picture. . . of the invisible thermal pattern of a component or process. These thermal patterns, when understood, can be used to monitor operating conditions of equipment or processes. 

Thermography has been used on electrical distribution systems for years by various corporations. Its use on rotating equipment is not as widespread, but it can be used to pinpoint the areas with friction problems. Excessive heat can be generated from friction due in part to faulty bearings, inadequate lubrication, misalignment, aging components, and other reliability sacrificing problems. [ 13] 

Out-of-limit temperatures for rotating mechanical components and systems tu e usually based on values established by the manufacturers. Pump and compressor equipment that could benefit from an inifared thermography inspection program include motor gears, bearings, shafts, couplings, V-belts, pulleys, compressors, vacuum pumps, and clutches. 

How do you start One suggestion is to hire a consulting thermographer to make a survey. You may be surprised at the valuable information, and will thus be able to evaluate the need for an on-sight thermographic team. As the Plant Services article f 14]. stated  

Significant technological advances made in infrared imaging systems over the past decade have made thermography a useful predictive maintenance tool. Nowadays, some infrared camcorder cameras weigh less than ten pounds. 

Quoting from a 1995 Plant Services magazine article  

It is a unique experience to raise the sensitivity of the camera and see your fellow employees on the screen with their temperature profiles. The instrument is so sensitive that even a thermal handprint on the wall will remain visible after a minute or so after the hand has been removed. 

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