Compressed air is a critical resource in many industries, from manufacturing to food production. It powers tools, equipment, and is essential for daily operations. But what happens when leaks develop in compressed air systems? It may seem like a small issue, but air leaks can lead to significant inefficiencies, costing businesses both energy and money. The good news is that there’s a high-tech solution available: acoustic cameras. An acoustic camera makes it easier than ever to locate and fix compressed air leaks quickly and effectively.
Let’s explore how air leaks develop, why they are a problem, and how acoustic cameras can help find compressed air leaks with precision.
Verspilde lucht
Compressed air systems can develop leaks for various reasons—deteriorating equipment, poor maintenance, or improper installation. Over time, these leaks can grow, resulting in the loss of substantial amounts of energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates 25% of compressed air is lost to leaks, leading to higher operational costs and decreased capacity and efficiency.
Maar lekken gaan niet alleen over het verlies van lucht. Ze leggen ook extra druk op compressoren, wat betekent dat apparatuur harder moet werken en sneller kan slijten. Dit verhoogt de onvoorziene onderhoudskosten en kan leiden tot onverwachte stilstand.
Moeilijk te vinden
Het probleem met persluchtlekken is dat ze vaak moeilijk te vinden zijn. Deze lekken zijn meestal klein, verborgen in pijpverbindingen of achter lawaaierige apparatuur in gevaarlijke zones. Traditionele methoden om ze te vinden, zoals het gebruik van zeepsop om bellen te spotten of luisteren naar sissende geluiden, zijn tijdrovend en inefficiënt, vooral in lawaaierige industriële omgevingen.
Lekken opsporen met akoestische camera’s
This is where acoustic cameras shine. Devices like Sorama CAM iV64s en Sorama L642 use an advanced microphone array to see the sound made by compressed air leaks and pinpoint them with precision. The handheld CAM iV64s is ideal for quick inspections, enabling safe and easy detection without direct exposure.
For continuous monitoring, the L642 can be fixed in place or even mounted on robots, providing autonomous scanning in hazardous areas. These cameras make leak inspection faster, safer, and more precise, especially in challenging, hard-to-reach zones.
Hoogfrequent geluid
When compressed air escapes from a leak, it creates high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves are too high-pitched for the human ear to detect—especially in loud industrial settings. An acoustic camera microphone array picks up these soundwaves and translates them into a visual image, displayed as a heatmap on a touch screen. The leak shows up as a bright spot, indicating the precise location where air is escaping.
This makes it far simpler and quicker to locate leaks than using traditional methods. Engineers can now scan an entire facility in a fraction of the time, identifying leaks that would otherwise go unnoticed, proving that an acoustic camera is a perfect addition to a predictive maintenance plan.
Tijd en geld besparen
Zodra lekken zijn geïdentificeerd, kunnen bedrijven actie ondernemen. Met een akoestische camera kunnen ingenieurs grote en complexe systemen inspecteren met minimale verstoring van de werkzaamheden. De tijd die wordt bespaard door het gebruik van deze niet-invasieve technologie is aanzienlijk—wat vroeger uren of zelfs dagen duurde, kan nu in enkele minuten worden voltooid.
Additionally, the risk of human error by missing leaks in difficult-to-reach places is much lower because the device shows the leak instantly in a sweeping action.
Realtime feedback
De realtime feedback die door akoestische camera’s wordt geleverd, betekent dat lekken sneller kunnen worden gerepareerd, waardoor verder energieverlies wordt voorkomen en de efficiëntie van het hele systeem wordt verbeterd. Dit helpt op zijn beurt de operationele kosten te verlagen. Bedrijven kunnen jaarlijks duizenden dollars besparen na het aanpakken van lekken die met deze technologie zijn gevonden.
Veiligheid verbeteren
In addition to saving time and money, acoustic cameras also improve safety. In some cases, compressed air leaks can pose risks to workers, such as high-pressure bursts or creating a slipping hazard if lubricants are involved. Identifying and fixing leaks reduces these risks, creating a safer working environment.
Efficiënter, lagere kosten
De voordelen van het gebruik van een akoestische camera om persluchtlekken op te sporen zijn duidelijk. Bedrijven kunnen rekenen op een verbeterde systeemefficiëntie, lager energieverbruik en aanzienlijke kostenbesparingen. Door te voorkomen dat lekken onopgemerkt blijven, kunnen ze de belasting op compressoren verminderen, de levensduur van apparatuur verlengen en kostbare stilstand voorkomen.
Proactief onderhoud
These improvements don’t just happen in the short term, either. With regular inspections using an acoustic camera, companies can maintain their systems more effectively, ensuring that leaks are caught early and fixed promptly. This proactive approach to maintenance helps sustain efficiency and lower costs over time.
Langetermijnvoordelen
Compressed air leaks are a costly problem, but they don’t have to be. Acoustic cameras offer an efficient, accurate, and non-invasive way to find leaks, helping companies save time, cut costs, and enhance safety. As more industries adopt this technology, the long-term benefits of reduced energy waste and increased equipment lifespan become even more apparent.
In fact, companies would do well to consider acoustic inspection for leaks before investing in additional capacity. Often, capacity is sufficient if the system is running at full efficiency, and additional capacity or investment may not be needed.
Sterk rendement op investering (ROI)
Investing in an acoustic camera is a smart move for any company that relies on compressed air systems. By leveraging this cutting-edge technology, businesses can optimize their operations and achieve lasting savings. The initial cost of the camera is quickly offset by energy savings and reduced maintenance expenses, making it a highly cost-effective solution. In the long run, companies will see a strong return on investment as they eliminate hidden leaks and improve overall efficiency.
Conclusie
Using acoustic cameras for compressed air leak inspection, industries can efficiently address air loss while minimizing costs, enhancing safety, and supporting sustainable operations. This advanced technology offers a fast return on investment by maximizing resource efficiency and maintaining equipment performance in the most challenging environments. Neem contact op met ons team en plan een demo op uw locatie.
