Radiometric imaging of internal boiler components inside a gas-fired commercial boiler

Jonathan J. Miles; Robert G. Hammaker; Robert P. Madding; J. Edward Sunderland

doi:10.1117/12.304719

26 March 1998 Radiometric imaging of internal boiler components inside a gas-fired commercial boiler

Jonathan J. Miles, Robert G. Hammaker, Robert P. Madding, J. Edward Sunderland

Proceedings Volume 3361, Thermosense XX; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.304719
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing and Controls, 1998, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The Electric Power Research Institute and member utilities have sponsored since 1993 the Advanced Leak Detection - Research Evaluation Demonstration (all red) Project. The all red project utilizes an IR thermography system equipped with a high-temperature lens to detect internal boiler deficiencies and measure temperatures. Two high-temperature IR lenses were developed to perform internal boiler investigations. The lenses can operate in an environment that may reach as high as 2500 degrees F. The internal boiler areas and phenomena that are investigated include: tube temperatures, tube leaks, bowed tubes, and restricted flow; flame shape, flame temperature, and flame location; field distribution and identification of gas species. Detection of parameters that may assist with environmental NO_x concerns is also desired. The results of the current study of radiative interactions indicate that IR temperature measurements made inside large commercial gas-fired furnaces are feasible, but acquisition of accurate and repeatable data requires special consideration of radiative phenomena. This study comprised three related efforts - an extensive literature survey and analysis of existing data acquired with a high-temperature lens; an experimental study including acquisition and analysis of spectroradiometric data; and the development of techniques to correct IR thermographic data. Concerns regarding default imager temperature-conversion algorithms and reliability of system calibration are also discussed. This paper represent the culmination of investigations that shed new light on the complexity involved in making in-situ measurements of boiler stream tubes with an IR thermography high-temperature lens system.

Citation Download Citation

Jonathan J. Miles, Robert G. Hammaker, Robert P. Madding, and J. Edward Sunderland "Radiometric imaging of internal boiler components inside a gas-fired commercial boiler", Proc. SPIE 3361, Thermosense XX, (26 March 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.304719

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