Infrared Technology

Dylan Erwin is the Technical Sales Manager for Fluke Process Instruments and has previously worked as a product innovation manager and regional sales manager, among other responsibilities. Dylan received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University and spent the first few years of his professional career in the industrial automation market. Dylan recently spoke with Thomas Wilk about the many uses of thermal imaging devices on the plant floor and the future of the technology, including the release of the TV40 Thermal Imager from Fluke Process Instruments.

Imagine an undiagnosed hot spot in your plant. It may signify a weakened asset surface, prior to equipment failure. It might adversely affect your food recipes or pharma processes, resulting in bad product batches. Or even worse, it might be due to improperly grounded current, something which puts the safety of your workers at immediate risk.

When analyzing any cement manufacturing process, it is evident that one of the most critical steps takes place in the rotary kiln. When it comes to extending the life of this piece of equipment, as well as preventing any disastrous failures, it is imperative that operators understand the condition of the refractory material coating it. Since it is impossible to measure the inside of the kiln, looking at the outer surface is the only way to determine refractory condition. This can be accomplished with infrared technology and specially developed kiln scanning systems.