There are several benefits of using an LWIR-640 for monitoring the outside temperature of glass furnaces and preventing any potential glass leaks. There are two main ways to use the instrument and its software, and we will highlight them in this blog.
The first way is to have a fixed installation of one or multiple LWIR-640 cameras covering the main zones to monitor or control mixing with a PC server and IMAGEPro. Ideally, you would have a NIR-B-2K camera for optimisation and an LWIR-640 for safety, with the ability to anticipate potential glass leaks before fires break out.
LWIR-640 cameras for fixed installations can be autonomous devices without any PC required, and the ability to provide alarms on each camera for more safety, excluding the risk of any PC crash or power failure.
The LWIR-640 can detect hot spots on refractories or envelops at an early stage, providing operators with enough time to take the right decisions before a catastrophic glass leak causes any damage with major costs to repair.
The second approach is to have a standalone and transportable LWIR-640 device to use during a thermal survey, checking the temperature distribution and hot spots on some zones of interest (crown, side wall, electrodes, and throat)
The main benefits are:
- Improved Safety: Glass furnaces operate at high temperatures, and glass leaks can cause serious safety hazards to personnel and equipment. Using an LWIR-640 for temperature monitoring can help detect anomalies and prevent dangerous situations.
- Early Detection: The LWIR-640 can detect even the slightest temperature variations on the furnace exterior, enabling early detection of potential problems before they become significant issues.
- Cost Savings: Glass leaks can cause significant damage to furnace equipment, leading to costly repairs and downtime. By detecting issues early, the LWIR-640 can help prevent major damage and reduce repair costs.
- Increased Productivity: Furnace downtime due to glass leaks can impact production schedules, causing delays and reducing productivity. By preventing glass leaks, LWIR 640 can help ensure uninterrupted production and maintain optimal furnace performance.
- Better Accuracy: The LWIR-640 can provide accurate temperature measurements with high spatial resolution, enabling precise temperature monitoring and detection of even minor changes in temperature.
How to use the LWIR-640 on-site during thermal surveys by combining it with a transportable NIR-B-2K:
- Install the LWIR-640 camera and IMAGEPro software on your system (Windows 10 Laptop).
- Connect the camera to your computer and set it up to capture the required images.
- Open IMAGEPro and select the option to capture images from the LWIR-640 camera.
- Set the camera parameters such as frame rate, exposure time, and gain to optimise image quality.
- Configure the software to detect and monitor temperature variations in the furnace. You can use various temperature measurement tools such as spot temperature measurement or temperature profile analysis.
- Set up an alarm system to alert you when the temperature exceeds a specific threshold. This will enable you to detect hot spots before they become significant issues.
- Save the data and images captured by the LWIR-640 camera for future analysis and troubleshooting.
- Regularly review the data and images to detect any anomalies and take corrective actions as necessary to prevent glass leaks.
Using the LWIR-640 alongside its IMAGEPro software for monitoring the exterior of glass furnaces requires setting up the camera and software correctly, configuring temperature monitoring tools, setting up an alarm system, and regularly reviewing the data to detect any issues. By following these steps, you can ensure the safety and productivity of your glass furnace operations.