DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICALAND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

HYDERABAD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

(Affiliated to JNTU, Hyderabad, TS)

2021-2022

A Technical seminar reports

On

INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
In
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
Submitted by

K. SANDEEP KUMAR (19E55A0218)

Under the Esteemed guidance of

M.CHIRANJIVI, M. TECH

Assistant Professor

Department of EEE

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 HYDERABAD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(Affiliated to JNTUH, Hyderabad, TS, INDIA)
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

,
CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the technical seminar work entitled “infrared

thermography " is a Bonafide work carried out by K. SANDEEP KUMAR
bearing Roll NO. 19E55A0218, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY in EEE by the Jawaharlal Nehru
Technological University, Hyderabad, during the academic year 2021-2022. The
matter contained in this document has not been submitted to any other University or
institute for the award of any degree or diploma.

Internal supervisor Head of the Department

Mr. M. CHIRANJIVI, M. Tech Dr. O.P. SURESH
Assistant professor HOD
Department of EEE Department of EEE

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 HYDERABAD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
DUNDIGAL – 500 043, HYDERABAD, TELANGANA STATE
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

DECLARATION

I “K. SANDEEP KUMAR” student of ‘Bachelor of Technology in EEE’, session:

2020 - 2021, Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management, Dundigal,Hyderabad,
Telangana State, hereby declare that the work presented in this technical seminar work
entitled ‘infrared thermography’ is the outcome of our own Bonafide work and is correct
to the best of our knowledge and this work has been undertaken taking care of engineering
ethics. It contains no material previously published or written by another person nor
material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the
university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment has
been made in the text.

K. SANDEEP KUMAR (19E55A0218)

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 Acknowledgement

An endeavor of a long period can be successful only with the advice of many
well-wishers.

We would like to thank our chairman, Sri. ARUTLA PRASHANTH for providing
all the facilities to carry out project work successfully.

We would like to thank our Principal Dr. SUDHAKARA.R. SARIPALLI who have
inspired lot through their speeches and providing this opportunity to carry out our major
project successfully.

We are very thankful to our Head of the Department, Dr. O.P. SURESH,
and B-Tech Internship coordinator T. SRINIVASULU

We would like to specially thank my internal supervisor M. CHIRANJIVI our

technical guidance, constant encouragement and enormous support provided to us for
carrying out our major project work.

We wish to convey our gratitude and express sincere thanks to all D.C
(Departmental Committee) and P.R.C (Project Review Committee) members, non-
teaching staff for their support and Co-operation rendered for successful submission of
our major project work.

We also want to express our sincere gratitude to all our family members and our
friends for their individual care and everlasting moral support.

K. SANDEEP KUMAR (19E55A0218)

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 CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE NO.

1. ABSTRACT 2
2. INTRODUCTION
3. THERMOGRAPHIC CAMERA 6
4. THERMOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE 10
5. PROCESS OF THERMOGRAPHY 12
6. APPLICATIONS OF THERMOGRAPHY 14
7. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 23
OF THERMOGRAPHY
8. CONCLUSION 24

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 Abstract

Thermal imaging camera is a device which is used to detect infrared radiations emitted from an
object to give a thermal profile of the scene. This device was initially used for surveillance
purpose and as night vision camera. With the advancement in technology, there are significant
additions to camera capabilities and prices has decreased. Therefore, infrared thermography (IRT)
has grown to become very popular and widely accepted tool as it enables temperature
measurement in real time. IRT is very convenient, fast, reliable, non-contact and cost-effective
method which can be practiced for condition monitoring as well as for preventive and predictive
maintenance in different areas such as electrical stations, buildings surveys, mechanical
components and equipment. This survey presents a review of the advancement in IRT cameras and
its applications in various fields. The basics of IRT and thermal radiation are discussed in details.

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 INTRODUCTION
1.1. About the Thermography

Thermal or infrared energy is an energy, not visible because its wavelength is too long for
the sensors in our eyes to detect. It is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive
as heat. Unlike visible light, in the infrared spectrum, everything with a temperature above
absolute zero emits infrared electromagnetic energy. Even cold objects such as ice cubes, emit
infrared radiation. The higher the temperature of the object, the greater the infrared radiation
emitted. The Infrared camera allows us to see what our eyes cannot.

All objects, cold or hot, radiate heat in the form of infrared energy. As an object increases
in temperature, it radiates more energy, and the wavelength gets shorter. Infrared radiation,
visible light and ultraviolet light are all forms of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum. The
only difference is their wavelength or frequency.

Fig 1.1. Electromagnetic Spectrum

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 1.1.1. What is Thermography?

Infrared Thermography is the technique that uses an infrared imaging and

measurement camera to "see" and "measure" invisible infrared energy being emitted from an
object.

Thermography is a non-contact, non-destructive test method that utilizes a thermal imager to

detect, display and record thermal patterns and temperatures across the surface of an object.
Infrared thermography may be applied to any situation where knowledge of thermal profiles and
temperatures will provide meaningful data about a system, object or process.

1.1.2. What principle used in Thermography?

Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects based on their temperatures, according
to the black body radiation law, thermography makes it possible to "see" one's environment with
or without visible illumination. The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with
temperature; therefore, thermography allows one to see variations in temperature. Radiation also
originates from the surroundings and is reflected in the object, and the radiation from the object
and the reflected radiation will also be influenced by the absorption of the atmosphere.
If the temperature an object gets hot enough however, above 525°C the energy from
that object will radiate energy in the visible spectrum and we will see it. This is when we see an
object like the burner on an electric stove “glowing” red. In fact, any time an object will emit or
reflect energy in the same frequency of our eyes we will see it.
Infrared energy is just one part of the electromagnetic spectrum that encompasses
radiation from gamma rays, x-rays, ultra violet, a thin region of visible light, infrared, microwaves,
and radio waves. All objects emit a certain amount of black body radiation as a function of their
temperatures. The higher an object's temperature is the more infrared radiation as black-body
radiation it emits. A special camera can detect this radiation in a way similar to an ordinary camera
does visible light. It works even in total darkness because ambient light level does not matter. This
makes it useful for rescue operations in smoke-filled buildings and underground

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1.1.3. Where Thermography is used?

Thermal imaging photography finds many uses. For example, firefighters use it to see
through smoke, find persons, and localize hotspots of fires. With thermal imaging, power line
maintenance technicians locate overheating joints and parts, a telltale sign of their failure, to
eliminate potential hazards. Where thermal insulation becomes faulty, building construction
technicians can see heat leaks to improve the efficiencies of cooling or heating air-conditioning.
Thermal imaging cameras are also installed in some luxury cars to aid the driver. Some
physiological activities, particularly responses, in human beings and other warm-blooded animals
can also be monitored with thermographic imaging. Cooled infrared cameras can also be found at
most major astronomy research telescopes.

1.2. Why Thermography?

Thermography is useful because:

It is non-contact.

• Uses remote sensing.

• Keeps the user out of danger.

It is two dimensional.

• Thermal patterns can be visualized for analysis.

• Comparison between areas of the target is possible.

It is real time

• Enables very fast scanning of stationary targets

• Enables capture of fast-moving targets
• Enables capture of fast changing thermal patterns.

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1.3. Benefit of Thermography

Thermography is a non-contact, non-destructive test method. It is capable of catching

moving targets in real time. It finds defects in shafts and other metal parts. It is used to take
measurement in areas inaccessible or hazardous for other methods. It finds deteriorating
components prior to failure. It helps compare temperatures over a large area. When compared with
other classical nondestructive testing techniques such as ultrasonic testing or radiographic testing,
thermographic inspection is safe, nonintrusive and noncontact, allowing the detection of relatively
shallow subsurface defects under large surfaces and in a fast manner.

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 2. THERMOGRAPHIC CAMERA

2.1. Radiation from an Object

Every object whose surface temperature is above absolute zero (-273 °C) radiates energy at
a wavelength corresponding to its surface temperature. Utilizing our highly sensitive infrared
cameras, it is possible to convert this radiated energy into a thermal image of the object being
surveyed.

Infrared energy is just one part of the electromagnetic spectrum that encompasses
radiation from gamma rays, x-rays, ultra violet, a thin region of visible light, infrared,
microwaves, and radio waves. These are all related and differentiated in the length of their wave
(wavelength). All objects emit a certain amount of black body radiation as a function of their
temperatures. The higher an object's temperature is, the more infrared radiation as black-body
radiation it emits. A special camera can detect this radiation in a way similar to an ordinary
camera does visible light. It works even in total darkness because ambient light level does not
matter. This makes it useful for rescue operations in smoke-filled buildings and underground

2.2. Thermographic Camera

A thermographic camera, sometimes called a FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed), or an infrared
camera less specifically, is a device that forms an image using infrared radiation, similar to a
common camera that forms an image using visible light. Instead of the 450–750 nanometer
range of the visible light camera, infrared cameras operate in wavelengths as long as 14,000 nm
(14 µm)

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 Cameras - FLIR T250

Cameras - FLIR i60

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 Fig2.1. Therma CAM PM390

The Therma CAM PM390 System utilized by Infra-red Analyzers, Inc. consists of an
infrared camera with optics transparent only to infrared radiation and a video monitor capable of
displaying the thermal image. The camera converts radiated heat energy into an electrical signal
which is then displayed on the monitor as a real-time heat image of the object being scanned. This
digital thermal image can be captured directly from the camera and processed for CD-ROM,
printed report, or analog VHS videotape generation.

There are two different types of images. Color Thermograms (photographs of the infrared
image) and Control Photos (conventional digital images of the same scene taken during the
inspection) are provided of problem areas uncovered during the inspection. In the thermograms,
temperatures are displayed in a spectrum of colors.

fig2.2. Hierarchy of colors

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This chart illustrates the hierarchy of colors used to represent the relative temperature differences
of the problems found during the inspection.
Black and white, and color, are properties of visible light that do not exist in the infrared
world. Because we need to convert these images into visible light, the IR camera assigns black to
the coolest temperatures in an image, white to the hottest temperatures in an image, and graduating
shades of gray in between. Similarly, different colors can be used to portray different
temperatures.

The higher the temperature, the more energy emitted. The typical infrared thermography
camera resembles a standard camcorder and produces a live TV image of heat radiation. The
camera provides a basic grey scale image which is converted to false color images to make
interpretation of thermal patterns easier. The thermal image produced by an infrared camera is
called a thermogram.

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 3.THERMOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE

The basic principle of thermography is that all types of surfaces will emit some degree of
heat. The thermographic equipment will detect heat which differs from the temperatures in the
surrounding area of a surface. These higher temperatures might be an indication of a potential
malfunction of the scanned object
i.e., faults in electrical circuitry or overheating of bearings in mechanical equipment,
i.e., pumps, motors, compressors, etc. Thermographic imaging can detect insufficiently insulated
hot spots in engine rooms, which create a large fire risk.

If material under inspection is heated with radiators (active thermography), the temperature
of the surface will rise suddenly. The speed at which the heat front dissipates into the material
depends on the thermal properties like density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity and the
bonding quality between top surface layer and the base material. A defect in the sub-surface
creates a barrier for the heat diffusion process and, therefore, the surface temperature above the
defect will decrease more slowly than the temperature in other regions. The surface above such a
defect will show a hot spot for a longer time as its vicinity covering good bonded material. The
principle of this effect is shown schematically in Fig.3.

Fig.3. The uniformly distributed heat impact on the surface.

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In contrast to the fast dissipation of heat in metallic materials, the dissipation of heat in wood-
based-materials is comparable slow. The detection of defects can take a few seconds or even some
minutes after the heat impact depending on the material and depth of the defect.

3.1. Active and Passive Thermography.

If the inspected material is heated during the production process (passive thermography), the
surface temperature will decrease after leaving the production line. Invisible defects within the
material will appear as cold spots on the surface, because of the good insulation between the hot
core material and the colder surface. In both cases, active or passive thermography, the defects can
be either detected as hot (active) or cold spots (passive) on the surface.

3.2. Results of active and passive thermographic measurements.

For first tests with active on-line thermography, different panels of laminating floor
were placed on a conveyor belt and heated by a few degrees centigrade while moving along three
infrared heaters.

The result can be seen in Fig. 3.2.1. & Fig.3.3.2. where a blister shows up in the
thermographic image as circular hot (red) spot. But moreover, some extended areas show also a
warmer behavior as its vicinity. Destructive tests showed that these areas have a decreased
adhesion bonding in comparison to the rest of the material.

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 4. PROCESS OF THERMOGRAPHY

Infrared thermography is the technique of converting infrared energy (radiant heat) into an
image that a person can see and understand. We ordinarily see in visible light. We can compare
infrared to visible light - they are not the same, but they are analogous.

We are familiar with the idea of a video camera creating images on video monitors or
television. The electronics in the camera convert the light energy that enters the lens into a video
signal and displays that signal on a monitor or TV. We see shapes, colors, textures, shadows, and
reflective surfaces in the image as a result of the camera's ability to capture light.

Fig 4. This image shows the radiant heat rather than light. The light areas are warmer than the dark areas

In a similar way, an infrared camera creates an image by converting radiant heat energy
into a signal that can be displayed on a monitor (and later printed). The infrared energy emitted
from an object is directly proportional to its temperature. Therefore, temperatures are accurately
measured by the infrared camera.

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The ability to measure temperature from an IR image is called radiometry. This requires
sophisticated and expensive electronics. The ability to measure a temperature anywhere on the
image is available only on the high-end cameras.

4.1. Colorizing Infrared Images

Black and white, and color, are properties of visible light that do not exist in the infrared
world. Because we need to convert these images into visible light, the IR camera assigns black to
the coolest temperatures in an image, white to the hottest temperatures in an image, and graduating
shades of gray in between. Similarly, different colors can be used to portray different
temperatures.

Using colors to represent different temperatures, a knowledgeable technician adjusts the

color image to optimize clarity and best reveal the high temperatures of interest.

Fig 4.1. This image of shows a hot coffee mug and a plate of cookies. The colors bear no correlation with visible
light, rather the colors correspond to the radiant heat.

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 5. APPLICATIONS OF THERMOGRAPHY

Infrared Thermography is the technique for producing a visible image of invisible infrared energy
emitted by objects. The higher the temperature, the more energy emitted. The thermographic
camera provides a basic grey scale image which is converted to false color images to make
interpretation of thermal patterns easier. The thermal image produced by an infrared camera is
called a thermogram

5.1. Electrical Thermography

It is used virtually around the world to evaluate the condition of electrical systems
and equipment. When an electrical system is energized, current passes through the entire system, a
byproduct of this current flow is heat. When there is a defect in the system, more heat is generated
because of high resistance, and the camera will see the difference between the normal components
and the one with a problem.
Infrared Thermography is the technique for producing a visible image of invisible infrared
energy emitted by objects. The higher the temperature, the more energy emitted. The
thermographic camera provides a basic grey scale image which is converted to false color images
to make interpretation of thermal patterns easier. The thermal image produced by an infrared
camera is called a thermogram.

5.2. Electrical Thermography

It is used virtually around the world to evaluate the condition of electrical
systems and equipment. When an electrical system is energized, current passes through the entire
system, a byproduct of this current flow is heat. When there is a defect in the system, more heat is
generated because of high resistance, and the camera will see the difference between the normal
components and the one with a problem.

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Fig 5.1 Thermal image showing a failing connection on an electrical component

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 5.3. Tank Inspections

Manufacturers concerned with non-destructively testing product quality and performance

are also among those employing, infrared radiometric technologies. An automobile manufacturer
might use IRT to measure the real-time thermal dynamics of a prototype engine block or a plastics
manufacturer might be interested in monitoring its extrusion process. Many industrial processes
implicate the use of IRT where temperature and heat flow are a useful indicators of how a process
is operating.

Fig 5.2. Infrared Inspection for tank leaks and to verify tank level.

5.4. Concrete Inspections

Another example is the inspection of concrete bridges. Over the years, a concrete bridge
deck can develop subsurface delamination's, which can lead to holes in the deck. When a hole
develops, it is already a big problem. What is important is to find the problem before the hole
appears. Using the energy from the sun as an active heating source, we look at it with the infrared
camera. The region with the subsurface delamination will have a different level of heat than the
solid parts of the concrete deck structure. The infrared camera will show the differences.

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 Fig 5.3. This shows that even though the bridge deck doesn’t generate heat it can still be analyzed with
thermography.

5.5. Aircraft Inspections

Composite aircraft materials are extremely sturdy and lightweight. These materials are
vital to aircraft performance and airworthiness. However, the honeycomb structure of this material
presents a potentially dangerous problem: water ingress.

Fig 5.4. Aircraft inspection

5.6. Medical Thermography

Clinical IRT is applied to the care of horses. Many minor injuries to muscle tissue may go
unnoticed until the problem is more severe. However, infrared imagers used today can pick up the
smallest change in temperature as a result of increased blood flow to damaged tissues. In this way
IR imaging aids the expert trainer in caring for the horse.

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 Fig.5.5. Race horse sustained an injury in a fall. The infrared image shows where the problem is, and monitored
the process of the healing.

There are three main areas in veterinary medicine where thermography can play a major part:

5.6.1 Preventative Medicine - particularly effective for competition animals in detecting strains
or areas of abnormal heat after an event

5.6.2 Diagnosis - assisting the veterinary surgeon by quickly and easily locating the source of a
problem
5.6.3 Treatment - a visual method of monitoring the effectiveness of treatment allowing changes
to be made as the case progresses.

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 Fig 5.6 Horse showing lameness after exercise. Thermography revealed localized inflammation at the bottom of
the tendon.

Fig 5.7. This horse which was being treated for Navicular disease had suddenly gone lame. A thermal scan showed
inflammation in the foot centered on the right part of the frog. Investigation revealed an abscess which was
subsequently treated.

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Thermography can be applied to treat human beings also. They are used in treating:

5.6.4. Respiratory Dysfunctions

Infrared thermography is useful for monitoring asthma, allergies, bronchitis, influenza etc.

5.6.5. Digestive Disorders

Infrared thermography has demonstrated excellent results in helping in the diagnosis of urgent
gastrointestinal pathology, especially appendicitis and hyper and hypo gastric secretions.

5.6.6. Urinary Diseases

Infrared thermography helps to save patient's and doctor's time in waiting for laboratory data and
is successfully used to monitor urinary tract infections, kidney pathology etc.

5.6.7. Cardiovascular & Circulatory Disorders

Infrared thermography is periodically applied for differential diagnostics and is useful in

preventing heart disease and serious circulatory problems such as varicose veins.

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5.6.8 . Lymphatic Dysfunctions

Infrared Thermography tests therapy effectiveness in severe cases of lymphoma, leukemia and
reliable to monitor lymphatic involvement in breast cancer patients.

5.6.9. Nervous Dysfunctions

Infrared Thermography analyses the brain, spinal cord and nerves, gives doctor a reliable and safe
method of problem location and for monitoring improvements.

5.6.10. Endocrine Disorders

Infrared Thermography helps to evaluate hormonal changes, thyroid disorders such as hypo and
hyperthyroidism, and diabetes

5.6.11. Locomotors Disorders

Infrared Thermography helps in the clinical evaluation and detection of serious and difficult
disorders such as Musculo-skeletal syndromes, neuropathy, neurovascular compression, nerve
injury, soft tissue injury, arthritis, inflammatory pain, and disk injury.

5.6.12. Surgical Assistance

Surgeries can be assisted safely before and after using Medical Thermography- helps to locate
tumor's size and locates surgical area and monitors the healing process after surgery.

5.6.13. Skin Problems

Infrared thermography gives a more precise level of information - skin tumors and skin cancers,
and wound healing.

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 5.6.14. Ear, Nose & Throat Dysfunction

Infrared thermography can assist in identifying areas with disorders when radiation should not be
used such as tonsillitis, swelling of the lymphatic glands, teething problems, and sinusitis.

5.6.15. Dentistry

Dentists recommend the use of Medical Thermography in monitoring control in the inflammation
process into oral cavity and reaction of the regional lymphatic nodes and other chronic diseases of
the bones, nerves, located in the maxilla facial area. Medical Thermography can also measure
temperature changes in the application of new methods and dental materials applied by dentists.

5.6.16. Non-Destructive Testing

Nondestructive Testing (NDT), also called nondestructive examination (NDE) and nondestructive
inspection (NDI), is testing that does not destroy the test object. To detect different defects such as
cracking and corrosion, there are different methods of testing available, such as X-ray and
ultrasound.

While destructive testing usually provides a more reliable assessment of the state of the test
object, destruction of the test object usually makes this type of test more costly to the test object's
owner than nondestructive testing. That there is a tradeoff between the cost of the test and its
reliability favors a strategy in which most test objects are inspected nondestructively; destructive
testing is performed on a sampling of test objects that is drawn randomly for the purpose of
characterizing the testing reliability of the nondestructive test.

During their service lives, many industrial components need regular non- destructive tests
to detect damage that may be difficult or expensive to find by everyday methods. For example:

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  Aircraft skins need regular checking to detect cracks.
 Underground pipelines are subject to corrosion and stress corrosion cracking.
 Concrete structures may be weakened if the inner reinforcing steel is corroded.

Fig 5.8. Composite material at aero plane industry

Violet color indicates parts visible at surface level and yellow indicates non visible parts at
surface level.

5.8. Condition monitoring

It is the process of monitoring a parameter of condition in machinery, such that a

significant change is indicative of a developing failure. It is a major component of predictive
maintenance. The use of conditional monitoring allows maintenance to be scheduled, or other
actions to be taken to avoid the consequences of failure, before the failure occurs. It is typically
much more cost effective than allowing the machinery to fail. Serviceable machinery includes
rotating machines and stationary plant such as boilers and heat exchangers.

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 5.9. Night Vision

Night vision is the ability to see in a dark environment. Humans have poor night vision
compared to many animals, in part because the human eye does not have a tapetum lucidum.

Fig 5.9. Two American Soldiers pictured during the 2003 Iraq War seen through an Image Intensifier.

Enhanced spectral range allows the viewer to take advantage of non-visible sources of
electromagnetic radiation (such as near-infrared or ultraviolet radiation). Some animals can see
well into the infrared and/or ultraviolet compared to humans, enough to help them see in
conditions humans cannot.

Thermal imaging cameras are excellent tools for night vision. Contrary to other
technologies they do not need any light at all to produce a clear image. They produce an image in
the darkest of nights and can see through light fog, rain and smoke. Thermal imaging cameras
make small temperature differences visible. They detect what cannot be detected by the human
eye. Thermal imaging cameras are widely used to complement new or existing security networks.

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6. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF THERMOGRAPHY

1.1. Advantages of Thermography

 It shows a visual picture so that can help compare temperatures over a large area.
 It is capable of catching moving targets in real time.
 Able to find deteriorating components prior to failure.
 Measurement in areas inaccessible or hazardous for other methods.
 It is a non-destructive test method.
 Make easier to find defects in shafts and other metal parts.

1.2. Disadvantages of Thermography

 Due to the low volume of thermal cameras, quality cameras often have a high price range
(often $6,000 USD or above) and are easily damaged.
 Images can be hard to interpret accurately even with experience.
 Accurate temperature measurements are very hard to make because of emissivity's.
 Training and staying proficient in IR scanning is time consuming.

 Ability to measure only surface areas.

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 7. CONCLUSION

When compared with other classical nondestructive testing techniques such as ultrasonic
testing or radiographic testing, thermographic inspection is safe, nonintrusive and noncontact,
allowing the detection of relatively shallow subsurface defects under large surfaces and in a fast
manner. Thermography enables us to see and measure heat. Thermography is a method that
utilizes a thermal image to detect, display and record thermal patterns and temperatures across the
surface of an object. Thermography is the future in water damage and mold claims adjudication
for the insurance industry.

IR is going to allow the industry to be more exact in the data that it obtains, and to be able
to resolve any claims that may be occurring now, as well as in the future, more quickly and cost-
effectively, saving time and money.

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