By Bernard R. Lyon Jr.
ASNT NDT Level III

As trainers, we are compelled to create presentations that illustrate and explain complex concepts, clearly and concisely. The objective is to get the idea across. Thermography can be challenging, even for someone with a technical background. So, we are constantly exploring any methods, means, or media that may serve to clarify information.

Many thermographers often find themselves in similar situations, where they have to explain thermograms to their clients or management. Or, in a more relaxed environment, thermographers may contribute to the Infrared Community, by conducting a presentation at an infrared conference. Questions may arise concerning severity, colors, emissivity, or any other parameters found in images or reports. Still infrared images, accompanied with digital visuals, are certainly adequate for most thermographic inspections. However, there are always situations where a still image is not the most effective way to present the problem......

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Straight from the World Wide Web, here is what's going on in the world of infrared thermography.

• Windsurfer in dramatic sea rescue
  ic Wales, United Kingdom - Aug 3, 2005
  ... It was not until 9.50pm that eagle-eyed RAF officers using a thermal imaging camera from the emergency helicopter spotted him on the Breaksea light buoy three ...

• Bats could replace insecticide
  News 8 Austin, TX - Jul 16, 2005
  ... Using advanced thermal imaging and enormous computer power, a camera records the body heat of the bats and a computer counts each bat as it passes through the ...

• Space Tools: Off the Shelf, Onto the Shuttle
  Space.com - Jul 13, 2005
  ... shuttle are damaged. Short on time, the engineers turned to commercially available tools that could be modified for space. One is a handheld infrared camera ...
  
  
  Note: Michael Gazarik, the Branch Head, for the Passive Sensor Systems Branch at the NASA Langley Research Center, will be delivering a paper on the development and deployment of this camera (based on a FLIR ThermaCAM S65) at the InfraMation Thermography Conference in October. Read the abstract.

Here is a selection of recent new threads by IR Community members. Feel free to click the links, see how people have responded, and post your own response if you like.

• Thermography in Marine Mammals
  I trying to detect the circulatory system in dolphins using IR Image. Does anybody have information on the use of infrared cameras in marine mammals?

• Metering CT and PT Connection
  This image shows current and potential tranformer connections to a 115 kV distribution line. The load was 271 Amps. The bottom connection is the CT primary. The top connection is the PT's primary. I'm having trouble understanding why the PT connection could get so hot. The PT primary winding "should" be a very high impedance and draw very little current. If the connection is bad, shouldn't the current choose the least resistive path i.e the power line conductor?

• Cast Coil Transformers
  I'm going to scan a dry type, cast coil transformer (4 MW, 34.5kV/782V)that tripped a "transformer lockout" alarm. What if anything would I be able to see on the transformer, and what should I be looking for?
  Any idea on the maximum temperature to be considered dangerous?

• Transformer Bay
  Here's an image of a 115 kV disconnect and lightning arrestor. Load was 195 Amps. A-phase is the box on the far right. There are transformers on either side of the wall and the wall is square with the powerhouse. A-phase seems to be about 10 deg F higher than C-phase and 8 deg F higher than B-phase. Do you think this delta T is caused by a bad connection or is the layout of the transformer bay making everything on the right side of the image hotter than the left side?

• Infrared Windows
  Are infrared windows the way of the future? As health and safety regulations are trying to put a stop to opening 'live' electrical panels, is the only solution to fit these windows? Is it becoming common practice?

• Newbie seeking feedback ...
  I live on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver. I have a history as a Property Manager and hate the current method of destructive leak detection used around this area. I can't understand why thermography has not made more inroads in the local market for building sciences. If anyone can provide some insight I would be grateful?
  Currently, I am considering if my IR thermography business plan should target more mature service markets other than building inspections? I would prefer to pick a winning service market for my initial cold calls to drum up sales. If this means I should target a something other than my initial area of interest, building inspections, I would appreciate knowing before I finalise my business plan. Should I ramp-up for and target electrical, roofing or energy audits instead? What are the pros and cons?

• How to make gas emission visible
  I am currently setting up research in which I try to determine what the location is of gas emission of a certain machine. Since the gas is mainly water vapour with aromas of about 92 degrees Celsius, I wonder whether or not it is possible to make these visible with an IR camera? Would it help to adapt the environment by cooling and lowering the amount of moisture in the room? Maybe there are special setting that can be used?

• Underground Water Leaks
  I need to reply to a water utility wttttter they can locate water leaks n underground pipes about 60cm diameter and 1 meter deep. There is a research report from a Canadian research counsil but does not say much.
  Has anyone used beforeor know of any actual applications?

• Thermography and water treatment
  OK! I suspect that there are some readers out there whove done thermal profiling of chillers, cooling towers, various heat exchangers and such. Would you have any images to share?
  I wrote yesterday that I was "dying" to get out of water treatment. However, I may be able to sell my current employer on a bit of diversification. After all, he does also own an eddy current inspection company BUT, if I can convince him that thermography can put his company in a uniquely competitive posture, perhaps he will also send ME to a good IR training school AND buy a thermal imager (I know, I know--he'll have to hire at least a level II thermographer to mentor me). If life keeps handing me lemons, maybe I need to start making some lemonade, so to speak!

And of course if YOU have a question or want to start a discussion on a topic, we would love to hear from you. Just post a new thread on a message board.

Brainteaser of the Month 

Here is this month's brainteaser. Readers who email us the correct identification and explanation of the thermal pattern in the thermogram are entered into a drawing to win a prize from ITC.

Please put "Brainteaser" as the subject of the message.

Click here to email your guess

Do you have an interesting image that you think would challenge other thermographers? If so please email me your image (preferably in native .img, .jpg, .tif, .tgw, or .tmw format) with an accompanying visible photo and explanation. If your image is used, you receive a gift as well.

Last Month's Brainteaser

I can't believe it, we had the highest percentage of correct guesses ever on this thermogram. This is a thermogram of a Great White Shark breaching after attacking a seal decoy in South Africa taken by Jack Allinson of Allinson Infrared Inspection Services, Inc.

Congratulations to our winner Tony Milo of Madsen, Kneppers and Associates, Inc. Jack and Tony both receive low emissivity traveling coffee mugs.

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