Abstract:

Compressed air surveys can dramatically reduce plant overhead and have a positive effect on the air we breathe. Compressed air isn’t free and compressed air leaks actually impact the air we breathe.

Compressed air is almost ubiquitous in many facilities. It is used, and at times misused, to regulate controllers, power tools, or move products through processes. It is also a large source of wasted energy. It costs a lot of money to produce and use.

Yet, there are many people directly involved with this utility that have the misunderstanding that it is cheap and almost “free”. For this reason, compressed air is often misused and leaks a left alone as “background noise”. The US Department of energy has estimated that 30% of all compressed air produced in the US is lost to leaks.

If you calculate the loss in dollars, this can add up to approximately $3.2 billion!!! Now, add the impact on the environment with the build up of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide (the “carbon footprint” gases), and the cost extends beyond the plant to our planet.

Unfortunately, it almost seems like a cliché to read or hear about energy conservation and its impact on our planet in a way that is good news, since people are now aware of the need to reduce energy use.

The bad news is that very few actually do anything about it and even worse, there are many more that do not understand how easy it can be to cut energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint, especially many of us in the industrial/commercial sector.

This presentation will discuss the logistics of a compressed air leak survey and new developments in software that will help you learn how to manage a compressed air leak survey, assure repairs have been made, and report the results to management. In addition to calculating the cost of air leaks, it will report on carbon footprint savings from the survey.

Abstract:

Since the 1970’s, thermal imaging has been utilized to diagnose the thermal performance of commercial and residential buildings. Rising energy prices combined with greater public awareness have created record demand for professional thermographers as building owners focus their attention on energy conservation and building performance.

Having a well thought out plan of execution, from selling the job to completing the final report will increase the likelihood of success when performing infrared inspections on large building complexes.

This paper details infrared inspections of a 1,500 room hotel and adjoining convention center with a combined total flat roof area of over 500,000 square feet and exterior wall heights in excess of 100 feet. To accomplish this project, a phased approach was used that included aerial infrared and follow-up walk-on roof inspections, exterior wall inspections, and interior inspections investigating specific problem areas.

Abstract:

Testing and balancing of HVAC systems is important not only for energy and design requirements, but also for the comfort of building occupants.

It’s not easy to see if someone is uncomfortable and impossible to make everyone comfortable. Testing involves many instruments – most of which measure temperature, volume, and velocity of fluids, with air being one of those fluids.

Air movement is a necessary requirement in buildings. Where and how air moves is not easy to control once it leaves the ductwork.

Although chemical smoke is often used to study air currents, it does not indicate the thermal effect of air currents which can affect the comfort of occupants.

This paper will discuss the use of thermal imaging to study building air currents associated with the HVAC system. It will also discuss how thermography can aid in improving occupant comfort and HVAC system performance.

Abstract:

Infrared imaging of industrial enclosures such as processing tanks, pressure vessels, and heat exchangers has historically been performed on a random basis to record levels of fluids and solids.

The results of the scanning always reveal and support some process control management for that specified condition and time, but the aspects of more elaborate condition process and monitoring techniques to support a wider scope imposes many challenges in development of the infrared technology and tools in all parameters.

Abstract:

Underground feeder cables are a critical component of Con Edison’s electrical distribution network.

Operating at voltages of up to 13,000 volts, underground feeder cables are a common feature in the City of New York and surrounding areas. Like above ground conductors, these cables are subject to failures associated with loose/deteriorated connections, overloads, and unbalanced loads.

Recognizing that thermal imaging could detect incipient cable faults, Con Edison undertook a research project to correlate typical underground cable faults with infrared imagery.

This paper will discuss the results of laboratory results and how Con Edison is utilizing thermal imaging to help ensure underground power cable reliability.

Abstract:

Maintaining proper reformer and process heater tubes temperatures within petrochemical plants is critical to the life of the tubes. Reformer and furnace tube replacement is extremely costly and time consuming. Furthermore, tube failures can potentially escalate to catastrophic failure of the vessel or even plant.

However, acquiring accurate tube temperature is extremely difficult and often misunderstood. Plant operators and engineers routinely measure their own temperatures using handheld spot pyrometers or thermal imagers, however unless there is an accepted means of acquiring actual contact reference temperatures, any non-contact temperatures measured will be inaccurate within a range outside the acceptable error tolerances.

This paper will discuss an actual exercise conducted on a multi-row box type steam reformer to determine the viability of acquiring quantitative temperature data within acceptable tolerances using a gold cup pyrometer as the contact reference and a radiometric thermal imager as the non-contact working thermometer.

Abstract:

Faulty equipment and poor maintenance practices often lead to excessive gas emissions that can result in lost revenue, environmental damage, regulatory fines, and compromised plant and public safety. Finding unknown leak sites allows for better preventive maintenance planning and repair, thus reducing overall tank emissions.

This paper will discuss the latest infrared imaging technology which utilizes a special infrared detector and cold filter to help quickly visualize invisible gas leaks in real-time. We will also discuss how optical imaging can be used to aid in the detection and reduction of hydrocarbon gas emissions from storage tanks.

Abstract:

What do you do when you have an infrared camera in your department and few understand what it does or have training to use it?

What do you do when you have a limited infrared program with a large diverse property? Who has the need for infrared services in a large company like the Walt Disney World Resort? How are decisions made to spend for repairs and corrections? Where do you start your program?

Whether you work at a large company or are starting an infrared business; you need to ask these questions and understand the needs of your company or potential clients.

Those are some of the questions that came up when we at Design and Engineering discovered we had an infrared camera.

Abstract:

Infrared windows provide a cost-effective and safer alternative to traditional inspections. This paper will discuss how this mill realized a return on investment very quickly while benefiting from the other intangibles of infrared windows.

Namely: The ability to inspect the previously un-inspectable equipment; the ability to inspect critical applications more frequently; the ability to more aggressively monitor any applications which are suspected to be running to failure; increase in safety for personnel; decrease in risk to plant assets and operations due to non-invasive nature of inspection – safeguarding profitability and freeing up critical personnel who can be utilized for other valuable jobs in the plant rather than removing and reinstalling panels.

Case studies will also be presented.

Abstract:

The opportunities in infrared are endless! Do you really want to limit yourself to just one or two applications? By diversifying your business, you are not hindered by the same economic cutbacks as specialized companies.

It is a good idea to specialize, but to expand your business at the same time. This presentation is dedicated to helping you achieve an understanding of the opportunities that await you.

By incorporating new ideas like infrared into your existing business, you can make up for lost revenue. “Diversify or Die” appears to be holding true.

Rather than take on a completely new field of work, why not expand on what you do? If you are a home inspector, you are a natural candidate for the opportunities in building inspection that infrared presents.

If you are already an infrared contractor, by learning about different applications of infrared, you can maximize your market and increase your sales.

This presentation is ideal for the new thermographer all the way to the experienced and successful thermography business owner. Topics discussed:

• How getting into the business is not as hard as you may think
• How to select a camera
• How do you diversify your business
• How long does it take to be successful as an IR thermographer
• How does one get trained on so many applications of infrared