Resources / Case Study / Refrigeration Plants: Acoustic Imaging Used to Locate CO2 Leaks

Case Study

Refrigeration Plants: Acoustic Imaging Used to Locate CO2 Leaks

Refrigeration plants are using acoustic imaging technology, like the FLIR Si-124, to quickly and accurately locate hard-to-find CO2 leaks, reducing inspection times and operational costs.

Benefits

Speed

The use of acoustic imaging cameras significantly reduces the time it takes to find leaks, which would otherwise take much longer using traditional methods like ultrasonic instruments or the human ear.

Efficiency

Acoustic imaging allows operators to pinpoint leaks with high precision, streamlining the inspection process and eliminating guesswork, improving overall efficiency in leak detection.

Savings

By pinpointing leaks faster and more accurately, plants save money on repairs, reduce product losses, and avoid expensive downtime, resulting in more efficient operations.

Introduction

MFE Inspection Solutions has a line of customers using acoustic imaging cameras such as the FLIR Si124 to locate hard-to-find leaks in C02 refrigeration plants.

Leaks within manufacturing facilities can be costly and extremely time-consuming to find using the human ear or ultrasonic audio instruments. Our customers are not only saving time but they are also saving money by using a camera that gives them a visual representation of any detected leak.

Solution

After locating a pressure leak with an acoustic imaging camera the same basic methods of verifying the leak are applied.

Using a soapy water spray onto the visually located indication will serve as an efficient evaluation method.

Acoustic Filters & Frequency Range

Before acoustic imaging, ultrasonic technologies were used to hear frequency ranges beyond what is humanly possible. These frequencies range between 20khz to 100Khz.

Acoustic imaging cameras work within the acoustic range of 20hz to 20khz and the ultrasonic range combined. In addition, cameras like the FLIR Si-124 have filter options for both acoustic and ultrasonic frequency ranges allowing the operator to pinpoint sounds while filtering out audible background noises.

Other Acoustic Imaging Use Cases

Gas Leaks

Compressed Air
Natural Gas
Steam Systems

Electrical Faults

Partial Discharge Testing
Corona

Mechanical

Rotating Equipment
Belts, Bearings, and Conveyors

Autonomous ROVing & Stationary Acoustic Monitoring System

To integrate fully autonomous acoustic imaging inspections, facilities can now incorporate the use of the Fluke SV600 with Boston Dynamics Spot quadruped robot. As a result, Spot can routinely navigate through any facility with ease while pinpointing and recording sound abnormalities for evaluation.

The SV600 can also be used as a stationary continuous monitoring system with audible alarms that sound off to detect, locate and visualize air and gas leaks before they become a costly problem.

Contact MFE Inspection Solutions

For more information regarding acoustic sound imaging systems, contact an MFE specialist at sales@mfe-is.com or (844) 867-3686.