REFRACTORY AND INSULATION TESTING

Infrared inspection of refractory and insulation materials are based on the assumption that if a uniform temperature exists inside a vessel then the external surface temperature is a direct function of heat conduction through the insulation and external wall.

Localised moisture in the insulation or uneven wear in the refractory can therefore be identified from non-uniform heat distribution patterns.

The areas of application include:

• Boilers, Heaters & Storage Tanks
• Furnaces, & Ladles
• Ovens, Dryers & Kilns

Thermography can also be used to determine the efficiency of industrial heating equipment by measuring energy entering and leaving the equipment.

Hot areas on ladel indicate
worn refractory lining. Left untreated this could damage the ladle, and endanger personnel.

Undetected, refractory failure
on this brick kiln could have incurred huge repair costs and enormous losses in production revenue.

These measurements can be used to optimise heat balance affected by factors such as the frequency at which the vessel is opened and closed for loading and unloading, the presence of open ports, throughput of air in the vessel chamber, and the air/fuel ratio.

Increasingly, operators of new plant installations are having monitoring undertaken at the commissioning stage to prove satisfactory operation, and act as a benchmark for the comparison of the results of subsequent inspections.

Contact us to discuss how condition monitoring could save you money and problems...