New Thermal Imaging Camera Measures Temperatures Inside Hot Furnaces, Kilns and Melt Tanks

The new NIR Borescope (NIR-b) from Land Instruments (UK) is a specially designed, short wavelength radiometric infrared imaging camera with the ability to capture high-definition (656 x 494 pixel) thermal images along with accurate temperature measurement by viewing directly inside the furnace, using borescope technology. The rugged thermal camera can measure temperatures ranging from 600 to 1800oC (1112 to 3272oF) from any point in the image and is suitable for a wide range of interior furnace applications, including glass melt tanks, reformer tube furnaces, reheat furnaces and cement kilns.

Operators of refractory-lined furnaces and kilns typically cut large openings in the refractory wall to view critical areas. This can result in significant heat loss as well as difficulty in keeping the opening free from debris. Traditional methods for monitoring furnaces include visual inspection, which can take hours to complete and is not continuous; visual camera, which doesn’t provide temperature readings; and thermocouples, which are subject to regular failure or loss of connection.

These drawbacks are eliminated with the NIR-b, which installs into the furnace through only a small opening in the outer refractory wall (sealed to process) to give a precise, continuous internal temperature profile. Among the features and benefits of the NIR-b are:

24/7 monitoring that guarantees accurate, reliable, and continuous data with no blind time, Viewing angle of 44o and 90o inside the vessel that maximises temperature coverage across 324,000 data points, Dedicated software that provides key measurement data, including data points, areas of interest, automated alarms and, importantly, long-term data trending, High-performance water cooling system with low-water flow requirements for even the highest temperature furnaces, Integrated air purge that keeps the optical system clear of debris while consuming minimal instrument air, Short wavelength sensor with low sensitivity to emissivity changes that can be used through glass or quartz view ports, Wide range of mounting options, including the most commonly available options to ensure easy installation and ease of use, and probe lengths for the best available fit for every installation and Thermocouple at NIR-b tip that alarms for removing the instrument to prevent damage if maximum temperatures are exceeded.

Land Instruments is a unit of AMETEK, global manufacturers of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annual sales of more than $3.0 billion.