Advanced NDT
Infrared thermography inspection
Infrared thermography turns temperature into an image. Hot spots on a reformer tube, a failing refractory lining, an overheating electrical connection or a blocked heat-exchanger pass all show up as patterns that can be measured and trended while the plant keeps running. Active thermography, where heat is applied to the part, extends the method to delaminations and disbonds in composites.
Passive thermography on running plant
- Refractory and lining surveys on furnaces, reactors, flues and transfer lines.
- Fired-heater tube skin temperature mapping to support remaining-life assessment.
- Electrical switchgear, cable terminations and motor control centres.
- Rotating equipment bearings, steam traps, insulation breakdown and tank levels.
Active thermography for composites
Flash or lock-in thermography heats the surface briefly and records how the heat flows into the part. Disbonds, delaminations and impact damage slow or block the heat flow and appear as contrast in the image sequence. It is used on composite aerospace structures, wind-turbine blades and bonded repairs.
Getting reliable temperatures
Emissivity, reflected temperature, distance and atmosphere all change the reading. The survey records the emissivity values used and how they were set, and critical readings such as furnace tube skin temperatures are checked against contact measurements where access allows.
How we deliver it
Infrared thermography is carried out to a written procedure approved for the scope, naming the code and edition, the equipment and calibration, the coverage and the acceptance criteria. The procedure and each technician’s certification are submitted for the client’s review before mobilisation.
Work is planned and supervised by ASNT Level III personnel; our founder holds ASNT NDT Level III in UT, RT, MT, PT and VT. Reports state the coverage achieved and any limitations, so the engineer reading them knows what was examined and what was not, and any reportable finding is raised the same day.
Governing codes and standards
- ASTM E1934 (examining electrical and mechanical equipment with infrared thermography)
- ISO 18434-1 (condition monitoring: thermography)
- ASTM E2582 (flash thermography of composites in aerospace)
- API 573 (inspection of fired boilers and heaters)
What you receive
- Thermal and visual image pairs with measured temperatures
- Severity ranking and recommended actions
- Trend comparison with earlier surveys
Industries served
- Refining and petrochemical
- Power generation
- Aerospace (composites)
- Manufacturing and utilities
Frequently asked questions
Can thermography be done with the plant running?
Yes. Passive thermography needs the equipment to be at its normal operating temperature, so surveys of refractory, furnace tubes and electrical systems are carried out on-stream.
Talk to an inspection engineer
Send the equipment list or drawings, the inspection you need and your timing. Quotes are prepared for each scope and region.
Request a QuoteRequest an inspection quote (RFQ)
Tell us the asset, the method, where it is, the governing code, your dates, the size of the job and the report you need. We reply with questions or a quote. Affordable, accessible, fully customizable — no published pricing.
Or email the same details to info@atlantisndt.com. Mobilisation: North America; confirm your location in your RFQ.
Speak to an ASNT NDT Level III
Atlantis NDT provides ASNT Level III consulting, NDT training to ASNT SNT-TC-1A, inspection management software and independent report validation. Request a free consultation and we will return a tailored quote — affordable, accessible and fully customizable to your programme.