APPLICATION OF THERMOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSING CORROSION AND MATERIAL ISSUES IN TODAY'S REFINERY

**************This paper was prepared for a previous NACE Conference, but I was not able to present it at that time.  That is why I can send the entire paper as well as the Abstract ******************** APPLICATION OF THERMOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSING
ABSTRACT
      Infrared (IR) technology is being used as a visual technique to gather information about corrosion potentials in our refinery process equipment.  It can be used as a potentially significant contributor to mitigation of short-term corrosion conditions and the design/development of long-term capital improvement projects.  IR technology can be an extremely effective tool used in the identification and resolution of corrosion issues.  It can provide the capability to “see” what is going on within a process system, and observe real-time results as process changes are made.  While there are limitations to IR, these limitations can be minimized by attaining a greater understanding of the method.  Knowing limitations of IR, and relating the thermal images to corrosion potentials can be a major factor in the identification and control of some corrosion issues.  In addition, this technique can help to define the scope of design changes.  With many examples of success, you may only be limited by your imagination.
Keywords:  Infrared thermography, predictive maintenance, temperature profiles, wash water, Risk Based Inspection (RBI)
      The views and opinions expressed in this paper represent the conculsions and opinions of the author.

 INTRODUCTION
      IR scans of equipment are capable of showing where heat is being transferred.  It's up to the user to determine if applications are relevant and results are valid.  Before discussing the corrosion uses of IR, it's important to discuss its limitations.
The application of IR technology is the first hurdle to be crossed, as there can be many influences on the target area that will change the apparent surface temperature.  Most corrosion related trouble-shooting projects do not require precise temperatures, but rather relative temperature differentials.  Even though exact temperatures are not required for such applications, there can be many factors that can provide invalid results.
Infrared cameras and computers with analysis software have the ability to accurately measure temperatures and/or identify temperature differences.  However, IR is limited by the interpretation of the signature pattern, or how to create conditions that will accurately identify the actual surface temperatures.  The transfer of heat energy is everywhere.  For corrosion applications, determining the accuracy of what you are observing can be important.