Application of Infrared Thermography in an Adequate Reusability Analysis of Photovoltaic Modules Affected by Hail

Infrared thermography, in the analysis of photovoltaic (PV) power plants, is a mature technical discipline. In the event of a hailstorm that leaves the PV system without the support of the power grid (and a significant portion of the generation potential), thermography is the easiest way to determine the condition of the modules and revive the existing system with the available resources. This paper presents research conducted on a 30 kW part of a 420 kW PV power plant, and demonstrates the procedure for inspecting visually correct modules that have suffered from a major natural disaster. The severity of the disaster is shown by the fact that only 14% of the PV modules at the test site remained intact. Following the recommendations of the standard IEC TS 62446-3, a thermographic analysis was performed. The thermographic analysis was preceded by an analysis of the I-V curve, which was presented in detail using two characteristic modules as examples. I-V curve measurements are necessary to relate the measured values of the radiation and the measured contact temperature of the module to the thermal patterns. The analysis concluded that soiled modules must be cleaned, regardless of the degree of soiling. The test results clearly indicated defective module elements that would result in a safety violation if reused. The research shows that the validity criterion defined on the basis of the analysis of the reference module can be supplemented, but can also be replaced by a statistical analysis of several modules. The comparison between the thermographic analysis and the visual inspection clearly confirmed thermography as a complementary method for testing PV-s.

The Thermal Influence of Oral Rehabilitation on the Cranio-Cervico-Mandibular Complex: A Thermographic Analysis

Purpose: Assess the thermal effect of prosthodontic treatment on the cranio-cervico-mandibular complex using infrared thermography. Methods: The treatment group was composed of adults of both sexes who underwent a prosthodontic treatment in which at least posterior occlusal contacts were added and/or the vertical dimension of occlusion was reestablished. The control group (CG) was constituted of adult subjects of both sexes, with no more than a single missing posterior tooth, excluding third molars. Thermograms were taken of the treatment group with a Flir i7 IR camera both before oral rehabilitation (TGB; n = 33) and two months after treatment was concluded (TGA; n = 19). CG (n = 33) had only one occasion for data acquisition. Results: Statistically significant differences were found when the thermal difference (ΔT) and the health status of the orbicularis oris muscle were compared between the TGB and the TGA groups (p = 0.020 and p = 0.003, respectively). By comparing the health status of the masseter muscle between the CG and TGB, statistically significant differences were also observed (p = 0.030). Conclusion: A prosthodontic treatment appears to have a minimum or null effect on the ΔT and/or on the health status of the TMJ and the temporal muscle. In contrast, orbicularis oris muscles exhibited significant thermal variations.

Análise termográfica da ação do jato de plasma no tratamento de rugas faciais

Individual's senescence process takes place slowly and continuously beyond generates several changes including skin aging, since the decline in cellular activities. Countless resources have been created over the years, with the goal of stopping and / or reversing the unsightly aspects of the skin caused by this process. Thus, plasma jet, a new therapeutic resource has been used in order to promote rejuvenation through the reduction of wrinkles and expression lines. Objective: To evaluate the pattern of thermal variation of the tissue treated with a plasma jet, using infrared thermography. Methodology: This was a series of clinical cases involving 5 female patients over the age of 40 who had facial wrinkles. Patients were previously evaluated and anesthetized. Then, plasma jet therapy was performed in the supra-orbital region. Patients were evaluated for thermal imaging before and after anesthesia and post-therapy. Result: It was found through thermographic analysis, a significant variation in the temperature coefficient of the skin where the anesthetic was applied and then the plasma jet (ΔT > 0.4 °C). Conclusion: The present study proved through the use of thermography that the plasma jet was able to generate an increase in local temperature. The authors suggest that such thermal variation may be the result of a process of vasodilation in the treated region.

Thermographic Analysis of Joints of Supporting Structures

The external partitions of a building (walls, roof, etc.) in addition to their supporting functions must also ensure an internal microclimate suitable for comfortable human work, recreation and other activities. This article analyzes the thermal characteristics of the external walls of a residential house and thermographically examines the joints of the different structures of the building. Thermographical examination may be performed either passively or actively. In the former case, the object of the examination ir heated up to a given temperature, after which thermographical images of the object are taken and analyzed. In the latter case, thermographical analysis is made of the object in its naturally established thermal conditions. This article examines the thermal characteristics of the partition structures of a residential building. The values of the thermal properties of the materials are taken from the documentation provided by their manufacturers, and in their absence, the data of the technical building regulations is used. Calculated analytically: the wall of the western annex only meets the C energy class requirements, the insulation of the old part of the building raised the heat transfer coefficient of the partition to class A, the thermal characteristic of the eastern annex wall corresponds to the A + energy class. This thermographic examination showed that the facade covered by the fibrous cement siding absorbed less heat compared to the masonry facades. Based on theoretical calculations and the thermographic analysis, it is recommended to additionally insulate the western annex from the inside. If possible, it is also recommended to additionally insulate both facade joints with polyurethane foam and to seal them with waterproofing mastic to prevent the sunrays from reaching the foam.

STUDY OF THE FORMATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF GRAY CAST IRON BY THE METHOD OF THERMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

The work is devoted to the study of the effect of an exothermic carbon-containing additive of a facing layer of a sandy-clay molding mixture on the eutectic transformation of cast iron. For this, the method of thermographic analysis was used and metallographic analysis of the metal under study was carried out. It is shown that the results obtained by thermographic analysis have a correlation with the structure of cast iron. The introduction of a carbon-containing additive into the composition of the facing mixture led to the formation of a favorable structure of the prototype, characteristic of gray cast iron.

Thermographic Analysis of the Metacarpal and Metatarsal Areas in Jumping Sport Horses and Leisure Horses in Response to Warm-Up Duration

This study aimed to assess the impact of various types of warm-up on the metacarpal and metatarsal surface temperature in jumping sport horses in comparison to leisure horses, which work usually less intensively. Six clinically healthy sport geldings, contestants in showjumping competitions, and six geldings used for leisure riding were included in the study. The experiment was conducted for four consecutive days, during which the horses were warmed up by walking and trotting for various durations. Images were taken with a FLUKE Ti9 thermal imager to determine the resting, post-effort, and recovery temperature of the dorsal and plantar surface of the metacarpus and metatarsus of the four limbs. The obtained data were analysed with SmartView 4.1. software. The increase of measured rectal and surface temperatures was proportional to the warm-up duration. The surface temperature increase in the distal limb parts in jumping sport horses was greater than in horses used for leisure. The plantar surface was also warmer than the dorsal surface of the metacarpal/metatarsal areas, with a forelimb being warmer than a hind limb. Elevated temperatures after warm-up persist for 30 min in the recovery period, especially in jumping sport horses compared to leisure horses. Thus, the warming up effect is achieved earlier and lasts longer in heavily trained horses than in non-performance horses.

Coordination of Lead (II) and Cadmium (II) Ions to Nylon 6/flax Linum Composite as a Route of Removal of Heavy Metals

Nylon 6 (PA6) reinforced Flax Linum composites were synthesized by melt mix extrusion and molded through Mucell\ ® injection technique for adsorption application for removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) metal ions. The structural morphologies of all samples were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmittance emission microscopy (TEM) and Scanning emission microscopy (SEM), indicating crystallized materials with pore-like cells and Thermographic analysis (TGA) illustrated the thermally stable., Microscopic PA6 revealed the effects of Flax content on both cell density and cell size of the foamed samples. The cell size of neat PA6 (48 μm) changed to 36, 17, and 15 μm after incorporation of Flax compositions for 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 wt%. The removal of Cd(II)and Pb(II) with PA6/Flax 1.0 wt% composite was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model. The results indicated that PA6 1.0 wt% composite can be efficiently used as a superabsorbent for the removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution.

Performance and determination of Concentration Ratio for a parabolic solar concentrator using a thermographic technique

This work addresses the methodology to determine the exact concentration ratio (CR) for a parabolic solar concentrator (PSC) using thermographic imaging. The value of CR is commonly given in terms of the area of the receiver and not in terms of the area of the image produced by the concentrator on the receiver surface. With thermographic analysis, it is possible to know the real image generated by the PSC on the receiver, which helps to have a precise calculation of CR. It is important to measure the real CR not only for manufacturing purposes but also for the maintenance of solar concentrators, since its miscalculation lowers their energy efficiency or lifespan. In experiments, the real image on the receiver is divided into 4 regions, stratified with an equal temperature difference for each one. With this consideration, CR varied from 20 to 151. To complete the analysis, the energy efficiency is calculated. Since heating is a non-stationary process, thermal efficiency fluctuated during the time of experimentation, having a peak of 25% and a mean value of 15.3%. The irregularities of curvature in the concentrators significantly deteriorate the uniformity of the radiation flux and the energy efficiency due to unused areas of concentration.

Evaluation of Small Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy With Infrared Thermographic Camera in Prediabetes

Introduction: The typical microvascular complications of diabetes may ocasionaly occur in patients with prediabetes (PD). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is associated with poor glycemic control as well as with the metabolic syndrome components independently of HbA1c levels. Small fiber DPN is one of the most chalenging diagnosis due to the usualy normal physical examination as well as electrophysiological nerve evaluation. The thermographic camera has emerged as a novel tool for the detection of small nerve fiber dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate thermography of the plantar foot in individuals with PD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 51 patients aged 27 to 71 years. Patients were divided into the following three groups: control (n = 18), diabetic (n = 17), and prediabetic (n = 16). The diagnosis of PD was made according to ADA standards. Thermographic analysis of the plantar region was performed using a FLIR C2 camera. Results: Overall, 510 foot regions were analyzed. There were significant diferences in plantar temperatures between prediabetes vs controls as follows: hallux (L: 25.24 ± 2.02 vs 23.6 ± 1.79 ºC; p=0.009/ R: 25.44 ± 2.05 vs 23.89 ± 1.73 ºC; p=0.01); fifth metatarsal (L: 26.31 ± 1.72 vs 24.88 ± 1.38 °C; p=0.006 /R: 26.12 ± 1.60 vs 24.74 ± 1.41 °C; p= 0.006); and calcaneus (L: 26.46 ± 1.71 vs 24.93 ± 1.41 °C; p=0.005 / R: 26.58 ± 1.85 vs 25.07 ± 1.18 °C; p=0.004). There were no similar results for temperatures in individuals with diabetes comparing with prediabetes: hallux (L:25.24 ± 2.02 vs 25.76 ± 2.30 °C; p=0.24 /R: 25.44 ± 2.05 vs 25.64 ± 1.92 °C; p=0.38); fifth metatarsal (L: 26.31 ± 1.72 vs 26.03 ± 1.27 °C; p=0.3 / R: 26.12 ± 1.60 vs 26.21 ± 1.57 °C; p=0.43); and calcaneus (L26.46 ± 1.71 vs 26.82 ± 1.41 °C; p=0.23 / R: 26.58 ± 1.85 vs 26.99 ± 1.42 °C; p=0.24). Conclusion: We found siginificant abnormalities in temperature of various sites of the plantar region in PD feets suggesting that small fiber damage may occur before the onset of type 2 diabetes.