Subscriber Discussion

How Do I See Through A Combo Of Steam And Cold Air?

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 12, 2015

Ok here is a scenario I am interested in comments or feedback.

Scenario: Outdoor industrial area (Class 1, Division 2), extreme cold ambient air temperatures, heavy steam in area obscuring equipment.

Goal: Monitoring equipment within steam covered environment most likely from a camera mounted a distance away from the steam environment.

Challanges: 1) Class 1 Division 2 area classification, 2) Large temperature gradients within air due to the steam in environment.

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Brian Rhodes
Jan 12, 2015
IPVMU Certified

So to summarize: You're looking for an intrinsically safe rated camera that needs to see through steam?

Is this camera fixed or a PTZ?

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 12, 2015

That is correct. One solution for me is to mount the camera outside the classified area and use telescopic (camera to target distance is approximately <200ft.). The second challenge is more difficult trying to penetrate the steam in the air.

It would be a FIXED camera

U
Undisclosed #2
Jan 12, 2015

How much is the solution worth to you?

Pentax had those PAIR lenses a while ago: Security Lens | Industrial Products | Ricoh

They were very pricey, as I recall, but they'd give you the zoom and ability to see what you want from a distance.

I would wager that an average thermal cam would NOT work well in that scenario unless the equipment was very warm (if it's large metal equipment in an outdoor area (like a mine), it's probably not very warm).

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UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 12, 2015

Refering to the discussion section in IPVM on previous Class 1 Div 2, yes most of the solutions for C1D2 compliant cameras or camera+enclosures which are pricey. But are generally typical in our environment. However, in this case I would prefer to mount outside that classified area. I think the more challanging task is to penetrate the steam in the air. Portions of the equipment are significantly hotter all the time so there is a chance to see it but again quite large thermal gradients in the surrounding air envirnoment,

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Jan 12, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Is there a single source of steam, or are there multiples?

Could you add a few feet of ductwork or stack and redirect the exhaust?

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 12, 2015

Mulitple sources of steam at ground level and various levels. Wind changes of course so there isnt any one particular mounting position better than the other.

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 12, 2015

I realize this is a 'niche' type of question for this forum but I think it is very common for an industrial outdoor environment end user like myself especially in the winter months.

JH
John Honovich
Jan 12, 2015
IPVM

It's a good question, not an easy one :), but don't apologize for asking. Let's see what options are out there.

U
Undisclosed #3
Jan 13, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Thermal with possible supplemental visible imaging must be considered, I believe.  This fixed thermal from FLIR, is interesting, It comes in focal lengths of 9 to 100mm, (24 to 4.6 degrees horizontal AOV), and is ruggidized and all weather.

This is a from section on steam from their machine-vision thermal camera brochure, so I'm not sure how similar the results might be compared with their security line.

What's your FOV width at 200 ft?

*Full disclaimer, I don't work for FLIR, but I do own a couple.*

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UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 14, 2015

FOV is estimated around 200ft with approx. 125ft to target range @ 102degrees and 2.1mm so it is a wide angle view.Exmaple FOV Calculation

GC
Greg Cortina
Jan 13, 2015
I am the FLIR guy......try before you buy. Reach the local guy and borrow a camera for testing.
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UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 14, 2015

Thank you Greg, I beleive we have a rep that another department uses and I am trying to find out who that is. we use FLIR hand-held inspection displays. I may simply try one of those first in the area then go from there.

regards,

GC
Greg Cortina
Jan 14, 2015
John can supply my contact info and I would be happy to search internally for the right person to assist.
UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 14, 2015

Thank you Greg & John.

GC
Greg Cortina
Jan 14, 2015
The widest we offer and possibly the industry offers is 90 degrees with a 640x480 LWIR detector. At 200' that must be a good size piece of equipment. As a note, I believe that combo is available with radiometric information. BUT...we need to better understand the whole requirement and expectations.
UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Jan 14, 2015

Thanks Greg, yes I understand about whats out there. basically I am understanding the requirements myself and at this point the main constraint is the C1D2 envirnoment which significantly reduces the options from a camera standpoint. I will contact you.

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