Abstract:

Condition assessment technologies such as ultrasound, infrared, vibration and oil analysis help keep us aware of equipment performance and equipment health. Maintenance strategies that include both “preventive” and “predictive” approaches will improve asset availability, allowing for planning and efficient use of personnel.

It is good practice to utilize all the technologies available to not only recognize a deviation from normal operation, but to be able to determine the cause of the deviation in order to prevent repeat occurrences. In many plants there are so many systems, subsystems and components to inspect that, if not handled properly, can leave even the most experienced inspector feeling overwhelmed.

The approach to effective equipment condition monitoring should include a strategy whereby inspectors can maximize the use of their time to identify potential problems on all relevant equipment. This will include reviewing the need for inspection, creating a hierarchy of equipment to be tested, scheduling, planning the inspection and selecting the appropriate inspection equipment for the particular test route.

If one of the goals of an inspection program is to quickly identify equipment that has deviated from a normal condition to be noted for either corrective action or for additional analysis, ultrasound inspection can meet this goal.

This paper will examine how to use ultrasound technology as a first line of defense in the war of asset availability. The emphasis will be on performing an effective equipment condition assessment and will include concepts for organizing inspection routes, using ultrasound instruments to listen to sound quality, observe and recognize relevant changes in decibel, data log and record sound waves for analysis.

Abstract:

A fly by of a number of important web site elements that can make or break a business. There is a consensus of web site artistry not generally recognized by the Do-It-Yourselfer who falls in love with every font, color, dancing doodad that s/he puts on a web page.

We will take a look at some of these poorly inspired web sites and hope that they do NOT remind you of your own site. But, if they do, take heart in knowing that some of the BIG NAMES in the commercial world have suffered outrageous indignities at the hands of their web developers – if not at their very own hands.

Abstract:

The pest management industry has a growing need for infrared pest inspectors. A common standard in the pest industry recommended by the National Pest Control Association is Integrated Pest Management or IPM. The concept of IPM is finding and destroying insect nesting sites, as opposed to a broad application of insecticide to control infestations. Thermography and IPM are a perfect blend. This paper will discuss the nuts and bolts of inspecting for wood destroying organisms using IR and other non-destructive inspection methods.

Abstract:

As more jobs are shipped overseas and companies continue to downsize, many people see infrared inspections as a great way to start a new career in the high tech field of Predictive Maintenance (PdM). The infrared industry is a growing market, as we can see in the increasing number of infrared cameras sold each year. Finding problems with infrared before they blow up or burn up equipment saves companies millions of dollars each year. Once you have an infrared camera and have attended a qualified infrared training course, the future of your business depends on how well you execute your infrared service.

This paper will discuss:

1. Time saving tips and how to implement them

2. Tools used in the infrared industry and how to maximize their benefit

3. Finally, looking at the trends in the infrared industry, how they can affect you and how you can capitalize on them

Abstract:

Defining the scope of repairs on moisture damaged buildings can be very challenging and requires both nondestructive and destructive testing. Non-destructive testing using infrared imaging on building envelope components can provide particularly valuable information on large structures. Infrared thermography coupled with minimal intrusive and destructive testing can provide the building owner and contractor with a common basis of understanding as to the magnitude of repairs required and reduce overall cost in terms of anticipated manpower, unforeseen conditions and change orders.

This paper follows the process from initial observations through the infrared survey, destructive testing and remediation on a hotel facility in New England.

Abstract:

Within the past five years, the Pest Management industry has become aware that IR thermography can aid in the detection of pest infestations and locate other conditions that are within the purview of the industry. This paper will review the applications that can be utilized by the pest management professional and discuss the advanced techniques that may be required in conjunction with thermal imaging to locate insect and other pest infestations, moisture within structures, the verification of data and the special challenges associated with the inspection process.

Abstract:

Of course we see thermography first as a service business, but a fuller understanding of the field comes upon reconsideration of thermography as a product. Certainly the law has no trouble in application of property principles to the thermographer, whose reports and images are just “widgets” by another name, treated no differently than any other work product. This speech will survey the application of substantive property, tort, and contract law to the thermographer’s work product. It will touch on the Shop Rule and ownership of images and reports, copyright, liability to depicted third parties and foreseeable users, as well as legal trip wires for the thermographer in this age of heightened security concerns.

Abstract:

Infrared inspection ports are a real benefit to thermographers. They make our work safer, faster and more accurate, but only when installed and used correctly. If careful consideration is not given to certain issues, inspection ports will give inaccurate results leading to poor diagnosis, thus negating the reason for installing them.

Because a direct-line-of-site is required to record an accurate thermal image, surveys are hampered by cabinet designs that obscure the target components being imaged and thermographers are put at risk by having to open cabinets or doors in an attempt to gain access to the internal components that they wish to image. Even the most comprehensive risk assessments and method statements cannot avoid the obvious risks involved.

The use of infrared inspection ports is becoming more commonplace; in fact, electrical panel manufacturers are now fitting their panels with infrared inspection ports, grills, mesh screens, etc. in an attempt to make them more infrared friendly.

Since an IR inspection port is a permanent fitting in an electrical panel, the thermographer has to give careful consideration to several issues prior to deciding on what type of window best suits their client’s individual requirements. This paper will discuss the above issues and the problems caused by the following:

• Environment
• IR transmission
• Emissivity
• Field-of-view
• IR window design
• Minimum dielectric clearances from live components
• Inspection methodologies
• IR window material terminology
• NFPA 70e

Abstract:

Mold is an organism found inside and outside almost every structure on Earth. The health impact of mold on humans can range from none to fatal when the fungi or its spores are inhaled, ingested or touched. Of the nearly 100 thousand identified species, relatively few adversely impact a healthy adult. Several species affect those with impaired or sensitive respiratory systems.

As concerns over mold have increased, so has the need for accurate detection of mold presence. Although thermography cannot be used to detect the presence of mold, it can be used to detect evidence of latent moisture behind a structure’s surface. This paper will focus on thermographic image analysis, verification of data, and how thermography is being utilized by reclamation and building and environmental organizations in searching for hidden moisture that is often associated with mold presence.

Abstract:

Underground fluid lines are a critical component in the petrochemical refining industry, as well as many other types of process plants. As a non-invasive method of locating thermal patterns, infrared thermography can be used as a highly efficient means of locating both the thermal patterns of underground lines and the thermal patterns which are indicative of potential problems. This paper discusses some of the uses, techniques, limitations and unique problems in performing thermographic testing of underground process (fluid) lines.