Air leak detection

This new acoustic imaging camera helps professional inspectors locate smaller compressed air leaks.

FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, has introduced the Si1-LD, an industrial acoustic imaging camera that provides faster and more accurate compressed air leak detection for those on a modest condition monitoring budget. The new FLIR Si1-LD offers enhanced detection and quantification capabilities compared to the existing FLIR Si124-LD Plus, as well as a higher upper frequency limit.

Compressed air systems typically lose 25–30% of their air due to leaks, leading to proportionally higher energy bills, costly unplanned production stoppages, shorter compressor lifespans, the need to purchase additional compressor capacity, and increased maintenance expenses for the extra equipment.

Leveraging the advantages of ultrasonic technology, the new FLIR Si1-LD pinpoints leaks with enhanced imaging sensitivity at an affordable price. It offers several stand-out capabilities and features:

• An array of 96 microphones (2–100 kHz) enables the automatic detection, location, and measurement of compressed air and vacuum leaks from a safe distance of up to 130 metres. It is supported by a 12MP colour camera with 8× digital zoom and an LED lamp to easily capture visual details.
• Bandpass filtering enables inspectors to filter out confusing or incorrect ultrasound sources without the need for manual tuning. It is particularly effective for challenging leak detection applications where user input is beneficial. On rare occasions, the inspector can manually adjust the bandpass filter to tune the required frequency range and display the source of interest as needed.
• The lightweight and compact FLIR Si1-LD ultrasonic imager features single-handed operation and industry-leading AI, making it easy to use with minimal training- perfect for fast-paced inspections across large facilities.
• The touch-screen interface displays high-resolution images for easy identification of issues. It also quantifies leak volume flow rates and annual leak costs in real time on the device. Users can leverage this data to prioritise repairs. Additionally, the data is suitable for inclusion in sustainability reports to reflect energy reduction initiatives.
• Wireless data transfer enables seamless reporting and analytics options, utilizing either the online FLIR Acoustic Viewer or the offline FLIR Thermal Studio for effortless data backup and organisational team sharing, while also serving as the backbone for Over The Air (OTA) firmware updates. The software allows users to create reports using pre-built or fully customisable templates.

“Many manufacturing and process plants are experiencing rising energy bills due to leaky compressed air systems, which increase OPEX [operational expenditure] and erode margins,” said Darrell Taylor, Global Acoustic Business Development Manager at FLIR. “If you wish to locate leaks quickly and easily with minimal technician training, our new Si1-LD industrial acoustic imaging camera offers a fast and precise solution that supports sustainable manufacturing. In addition to reduced energy consumption, the new device helps you save on maintenance, repair, operation, and capital/OPEX costs, all while enhancing worker safety. With its minimum detected leak rate [MDLR] of 0.01 L/min at 2.5 m, our Si1-LD provides the market’s best combination of performance and ease of use at its price point.”

The new acoustic imaging camera includes two batteries, an additional battery cover, a battery charger, a camera neck strap, a hard case, a USB memory stick, access to both free online and offline acoustic analysis and reporting software, and a two-year warranty. A new accessory is the data transfer cable. This convenient cable enables users to connect directly from the camera to a PC or laptop, facilitating easy file access in organisations that prohibit the use of WiFi and USB drives. Users can upload their acoustic images into the FLIR Thermal Studio software or the FLIR Acoustic Viewer.

flir.asia/Si1-LD/