Technology
Why thermal imaging is a hot topic in mining MARK SLAUGHTER OF CBC ENGINEERING PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO HOW THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS CAN IMPROVE SAFETY AT MINING OPERATIONS. Thermography benefits companies wanting predictive maintenance practices.
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here are a number of benefits that thermal imaging cameras can bring to a mining operation but perhaps the most salient of these is how they can improve safety. “A very plausible example would be at a coal mine where you would have tailings, or discarded coal that can’t be used and is stockpiled,” explains CBC Engineering solutions manager, Mark Slaughter. “When stockpiled, coal has a tendency to spontaneously combust – an obvious safety hazard. This is a scenario where a thermal imaging camera could be used to see how hot the stockpiles are. “The camera will indicate a problem whenever the temperature is above or below a standard. And this notification will be channelled to the right personnel, who can then take action to prevent an incident.” While thermal imaging – or
“It’s all about interpreting the image, knowing what the image is telling you and knowing your piece of machinery.” thermography – is not new, the scope of its applications is only just being realised by the mining industry. Thermography is predominately used as a form of condition monitoring for predictive maintenance on electrical and mechanical systems on a mine site, but can also be used in other applications to identify safety hazards. Slaughter works closely with Flir Systems thermal imaging cameras – firstly, because CBC distributes these industrial-purpose cameras in Australia, and secondly, because he personally uses the cameras when providing engineering services to customers. “We distribute a lot of Flir Systems thermal imaging cameras to customers because they are globallyrecognised as an industry leader with this technology. The cameras are most commonly used for condition monitoring,” he explains. “While we have customers who want to do the work themselves, we still need to provide training for
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them to understand how to use the cameras. Additionally, we have a lot of customers who prefer us to come to the site, and perform inspections or provide an ongoing condition monitoring service to them. Either way, because we are using the product ourselves in our services, we have the expertise and experience to guide and advise customers.” The thermal imaging camera works by interpreting radiated energy from an image and showing the temperatures as colours. The hotter the section of
While not new, thermal imaging is only just finding its place in mining.
