Dear all,

We are working at HongKong Power Station. Recently, we want to find some IR system can conduct online monitoring the whole Coal Yard and provide a real time picture. Does anyone have some information ?

thanks and regards

kk

Most IR cameras have a composite video output, and this could work quite well. If however you need to control the camera remotely, and if you need temperature measurement then it becomes a little more complicated. There are many suitable cameras for this type of application, I suggest you check out Flir Systems A series cameras.

As Bob suggests, FLIR has systems designed for this type of application. So does Mikron and Thermoteknix among others. Depending on what you want to monitor, I would strongly suggest you go with a 320x240 or greater system so that you have good spatial and measurement resolution at the field of view (FOV) needed to cover the area. Again, depending on what you want to monitor, it MAY be possible to do the job with a line scanner instead of a focal plane array. Several other companies have this capability.

Please be certain you work with a sales engineer who understands your needs and has experience setting up a system in your environment. The best IR camera in the world will not perform adequately if it is poorly sited, installed or maintained.

If I can be of further assistance, feel free to email me. We don't sell IR equipment or endorse any one brand; rather we work closely with all suppliers so that our customers get what they need.

If you facility involves coal dust then the area may be deemed explosive (Dust), if so a standard IR camera is not suitable as it can cause the atmosphere to ignite.

The Hawk IR Ex|CAM AF-Series explosion proof remote monitoring camera can provide the functionlity you require with a "maintenance free", explosion proof IR camera. Meaning the system can be installed permanently in an explosive atmosphere without the need for permits or supplemental safety systems.

This system can provide a realtime output for monitoring spontaneous combusion including alarm points etc. or simply realtime viewing.

If you would like more information please contact me directly.

Best Regards,


Tony Holliday
Hawk IR International Ltd.
Email. tony.holliday@hawk-ir.com
Web. ATEX Infrared Cameras

KK:

Mikron has a couple of on-line remote monitoring systems installed specifically for this application.

You can contact me at 888.506.3900 or my email at jon@mikroninfrared.com

Thanks.

Does anyone have case study information on this application to post here?

I would be interested to see it and the discussion that could follow.

Terry O

JazzChan

I'm wondering why you want to monitor the coal yard but not the power plant itself?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Josh,

I've tried to use thermography to monitor coal belt return rollers. Most are high in the air and rotate at slow speed. I couldn't get a good view of the return rollers unless I was on the ground and looking up.

Our main load rollers are positioned down walkways that run along side the entire conveyor. Normal walk downs can catch problems in this area.

I have found the sonic phone walk downs are working better for us. Most of the roller failures that hinder production are caused by cracks in the center that rip the belts. Bearings going bad have not caused us much down time. You can have a roller or 2 stop turning and the belt can keep moving.

Main drive or tail pulleys are different. But their location (attached to the ground or on the floor) make it easier to monitor with vibration or an employee walking by and observing (or hearing) something different. Ours are covered with a coating that will wear 1st and replaced before the roller is damaged.

Summary - Thermography does not show slow moving return roller cracks from a distance. But if your walking 3-4' above them pointing your sonic phones down you might hear them.

Good luck to you!

My understanding is the coal - when piled high - can spontamiouly combust and small fires are created in coal storage yards.

I would guess that this application involves the detection of those hot spots at a distance - which seems like a good application - fire and burning coals are hot!

Terry O