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FURNACE  

INSPECTION SERVICES

DGC offers a comprehensive range of Furnace Inspection Services to the metals smelting, mineral processing, thermal energy and industrial furnace industries. The services include:

 

  • High-Temperature Endoscopy

  • Infrared Thermography​

 

Dickinson Group of Companies has established strategic alliances with leading technology partners from countries around the globe.

ENDOSCOPY  

Endoscopy at working temperature allows for the real-time, remote visualization of the interior of a furnace during normal operations, enabling the assessment of the condition of the refractories inside the unit. The robust, purpose-designed endoscopy devices are capable of operating within extremely harsh conditions inside furnaces. Probes are designed to have small diameters thereby only requiring small openings (as small as 45mm).


The Endoscopy offers high-quality images thanks to Full HD video cameras integrated into the cooling jacket. The furnace can only be observed using the digital video module, which allows all images to be viewed simultaneously on a computer or tablet. With its water and air-cooled housing, the Endoscopy can operate in furnaces with temperatures up to 1600°C.

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Furnace endoscopy is a proactive measure that permits the timeous identification of a number of issues that are linked to the state of the furnace, typically before the onset of the orthodox, speculative, and lagging performance indicators.

APPLICATIONS

Amongst other possibilities, employing the services allows plant owners the following feasibilities: 

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  • Furnace bottom and sidewall monitoring to prevent catastrophic furnace runouts

  • Efficient scheduling of furnace maintenance or furnace rebuilds

  • Closely monitoring the critical stages of the furnace in its later stages of operation as to balance the risk of safety concerns with the goal to maximize production

  • Guiding of strategic decisions about furnace operations, e.g. choice of production operations depending on their impact on the health of furnace

  • Objective investment optimization

Endoscopy & Thermography

INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

Infrared thermography involves the real-time, visualization of the thermal status of furnace equipment from the outside, without any contact. 

 

Priority is on HOT SPOTS detection and temperature measurements which should help to monitor the evolution of damages on the refractory lining, measuring the remaining thickness of the said lining.

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The adoption of infrared thermography enables operators to constantly monitor the metallic shell status, identify/localize damaged areas (internal/external) as well as estimate the remaining refractory lining thickness.

 

The technique ultimately allows for the early detection of HOT SPOTS

which could lead to the following:

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  • Safety risks for staff

  • Mitigating major damage to the furnace

  • Impacts on ancillary

  • Production losses

  • Expensive repair costs

  • Poor energy efficiency

BENEFITS

The benefits of furnace endoscopy and infrared thermography

include the following:

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  • Compilation of comprehensive records of wear for refractory lining.

  • Reduced unplanned stoppages.

  • Maximizing furnace equipment availability, increasing yields and reducing operating costs.

  • Efficient planning for scheduled shutdowns and refractory materials supplies.

  • Confident budget planning for purchase of very expensive items such as refractories.

  • Knowledge sharing with plant maintenance staff.

Endoscopy & Thermography
Endoscopy & Thermography
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