Use of Infrared Imaging Technology in Heat Exchanger Development and Evaluation

Since it's inception, infrared (IR) imaging technology has demonstrated nearly limitless applications in situations where surface temperature data are required. IR imaging systems offer numerous advantages over conventional surface temperature measurement techniques at the expense of a relatively large financial investment. Nevertheless, IR imaging systems are valuable engineering tools and are well suited for use in the development and evaluation of vehicular heat exchangers. The purpose of this paper is to provide background and fundamental information on IR imaging technology and to discuss it's application to heat exchanger development. Finally, several basic application examples on the use of IR imaging technology in heat exchanger development will be presented.