Thermographic Inspection for Gas Turbines
Specialized Thermographic Inspection programs for Gas Turbine Reliability & Maintenance.
Why it matters
Key Benefits
Hot Spot Identification
Infrared thermal imaging identifies abnormal heat patterns across gas turbines surfaces that indicate developing faults in the compressor blades, combustion liners, turbine nozzles, bearings, and fuel system. Temperature anomalies are detected during normal operation without production interruption.
Electrical Connection Integrity
Thermographic surveys of electrical terminations and connections serving gas turbines identify high-resistance joints before they cause arcing, fires, or protective device trips. This is especially critical for connections carrying full load current.
Thermal Profile Baselining
Establishing thermal baselines for gas turbines under normal operating conditions enables rapid detection of deviations. Comparative analysis between identical units identifies underperforming equipment and prioritizes maintenance resources.
Context
Challenge & Approach
The Reliability Challenge
Gas turbine exhaust systems operate at extreme temperatures (500–650°C) that require high-temperature IR camera calibration and heat-resistant approach procedures. Enclosure internal temperatures vary with ventilation system performance and ambient conditions. Exhaust duct insulation failures create skin temperature hot spots that pose fire and personnel safety risks. Fuel gas and liquid fuel system leaks may create thermal anomalies or cooling effects depending on fuel type. Lube oil system components operate at moderate temperatures where subtle changes require accurate measurement and trending. Turbine enclosure access restrictions limit imaging angles and coverage during operation.
Our Approach
We image gas turbine exhaust ducts, HRSG inlet transitions, turbine enclosure external surfaces, lube oil coolers and piping, fuel system components, and accessory systems from safe distances using telephoto IR lenses. Exhaust system imaging identifies insulation failures, liner damage, and expansion joint hot spots through surface temperature mapping. Enclosure thermal mapping detects ventilation deficiencies and heat accumulation. Lube oil system imaging verifies cooler performance, identifies valve and pipe insulation gaps, and detects bearing housing temperature anomalies. Fuel system components are screened for leak-related thermal signatures. Reports include calibrated temperature measurements compared against design limits, thermal anomaly mapping with GPS-referenced locations, safety hazard identification, and prioritized maintenance recommendations.
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Learn More →Thermographic inspection of gas turbines identifies abnormal thermal patterns indicating bearing overheating, electrical connection resistance, insulation degradation, and blockages or flow restrictions. Temperature differences between identical components or between operating and baseline conditions highlight developing faults in the compressor blades, combustion liners, turbine nozzles, bearings, and fuel system.
Yes, gas turbines must be operating under normal load conditions during thermographic inspection to generate meaningful thermal signatures. Equipment should be at steady-state operating temperature, typically after at least 30 minutes of operation at normal load. Cold equipment will not reveal the thermal anomalies that indicate developing faults.
Modern infrared cameras provide temperature accuracy of plus or minus 2 degrees Celsius or 2 percent of reading. Emissivity corrections, reflected temperature compensation, and proper measurement distance are critical for accurate readings on gas turbines surfaces. Polished or reflective metal surfaces require emissivity tape or coating for reliable measurements.
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Tell us about your equipment and facility. Our reliability team will review your situation and recommend a tailored reliability program — no obligation.
Protect Gas Turbine Safety and Performance
Our thermal surveys detect exhaust system hot spots, insulation failures, and lube oil anomalies across your gas turbine installation.
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