Thermography (Infrared Inspection) for heat exchangers
Thermography (Infrared Inspection) is one of the most effective ways to monitor heat exchangers: it catches developing faults — fouling and scaling on heat-transfer surfaces, tube blockage and flow maldistribution, corrosion and tube leaks — early, so repairs are planned rather than forced by a breakdown.
Why thermography (infrared inspection) suits heat exchangers
Heat exchangers foul gradually, quietly cutting heat-transfer effectiveness and raising energy use long before they cause a problem. Because the degradation is in process data rather than vibration, analytics that model expected performance are the right tool — flagging when cleaning will actually pay back, rather than cleaning on a fixed, often wasteful, schedule.
How thermography (infrared inspection) works
An infrared camera images the heat radiated from surfaces, turning temperature differences into a picture. Because most developing mechanical and electrical faults generate abnormal heat, a thermal survey finds them without shutting equipment down — a hot connection, an overheating bearing, a stripe of missing insulation. It is widely used both for condition monitoring and for energy audits, where it quickly shows where heat is escaping.
Faults it catches on heat exchangers
- Fouling and scaling on heat-transfer surfaces
- Tube blockage and flow maldistribution
- Corrosion and tube leaks
- Gasket failure
What the data shows
A localised hot spot on an electrical connection flags a loose or corroded joint; a hot bearing housing flags developing bearing failure or poor lubrication; a cold steam trap flags one failed closed; a warm patch on a vessel flags missing or wet insulation.
Related
Predictive maintenance for heat exchangers · Thermography (Infrared Inspection) overview · Thermography (Infrared Inspection)