Leaks, misuse, and pressure issues cause industrial facilities to lose between 25% and 30% of their compressed air/gas resources each year. Some leak auditors put this even higher at 80%.[1] In fact, the US Department of Energy found that a single 1/8” (3mm) leak can cost companies upwards of $2500 a year (approximately £1930 at the time of publication).[2] Compressed air/gas leaks are economically damaging on multiple fronts. Not only is resource depletion costly, but the resultant inefficiency can lead to increased energy bills, while the unexpected downtime caused by undetected, unaddressed faults is also extremely expensive. However, traditional methods of locating compressed air leaks, partial discharge, and mechanical faults in manufacturing plants are themselves costly. This is because they're time-consuming, require specialist knowledge, and must be conducted during operational shut down. Understanding the problems faced by industrial facilities when it comes to finding faults, FLIR has developed a new series of acoustic imagers designed to improve the ease, efficiency, and convenience of locating and assessing compressed air leaks, mechanical faults, and partial discharge. In this episode of PASS Presents, we get acquainted with FLIR’s answer to quick, effective maintenance inspections: the FLIR Si2 Acoustic Imaging Camera.

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PASS Presents Detecting Hidden Leaks & Faults with the FLIR Si2 Acoustic Camera

FLIR’s Si2 Acoustic Imaging Camera is an ultrasonic imager capable of detecting and visually representing compressed air leaks, partial discharge, and mechanical faults. According to FLIR, it makes industrial maintenance checks ten times faster compared to traditional inspection methods (e.g., using ultrasonic leak detectors) and could save facilities up to £29 500 a year![3] These are some pretty big claims. That’s why we wanted to speak to Jason Cargil, FLIR’s Technical Sales Specialist, to find out exactly how the FLIR Si2 Acoustic Camera improves the speed and cost-efficiency of site maintenance.

Acoustic Imaging Camera Can SEE SOUND! FLIR Si2 Exposes Hidden Leaks & Faults

Introducing the FLIR Si2 Acoustic Imaging Camera

There are five models in FLIR's Si2 Series of Acoustic Imaging Cameras, two of which are suitable for use in Zone 2/22 hazardous environments. Available at a variety of price points, the different features and capabilities of FLIR's Si2 Acoustic Cameras are outlined below.

FLIR Si2-LD Industrial Acoustic Imaging Camera

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  • Specifically designed for compressed air leak detection
  • 124 microphones
  • 12MP digital camera
  • 1280 x 720px, 5-inch colour screen
  • Mechanical Fault mode
  • Built-in LED lights
  • Fleet Management functionality
  • Detection distance: 200m
  • Automatic tuning
  • Measurement and cost analysis function for industrial gases
  • Bearing fault analysis
  • Built-in data integration
  • Integrated GPS
  • Seamless integration into GIS platforms
  • Detect leaks up to 5x smaller from 4x the distance compared to the Si124-LD Plus
  • Quantify leaks down to 0.0016 l/min
  • Ideal for maintenance managers, reliability specialists, and NDT technicians

FLIR Si2-PD Industrial Acoustic Imaging Camera

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  • Specifically designed for partial discharge detection
  • 124 microphones
  • 12MP digital camera
  • 1280 x 720px, 5-inch colour screen
  • Mechanical Fault mode
  • Built-in LED lights
  • Fleet Management functionality
  • Detection distance: 200m
  • Automatic tuning
  • Assessment of partial discharge and classification
  • Provides recommended actions
  • Integrated GPS
  • Support for Cloud data integration and OTA software
  • Inspect substation transformers and high voltage equipment
  • Condition monitoring tool for the electric, power, and utilities industries
  • Ideal for maintenance managers, reliability specialists, substation managers, and thermographers

FLIR Si2-Pro Industrial Acoustic Imaging Camera

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  • Designed for compressed air leak detection and partial discharge (PD) detection
  • 124 microphones
  • 12MP digital camera
  • 8x digital zoom
  • 1280 x 720px, 5-inch colour screen
  • Mechanical Fault mode
  • Built-in LED lights
  • Fleet Management functionality
  • Detection distance: 200m
  • Automatic tuning
  • Measurement and cost analysis function for industrial gases
  • Bearing fault analysis
  • Severity assessment and classification of PD faults
  • Recommended actions for addressing PD faults
  • Built-in data integration
  • Support for Cloud data integration and OTA software updates
  • Integrated GPS
  • Seamless integration into GIS platforms
  • Detect leaks up to 5x smaller from 4x the distance compared to the Si124-LD Plus
  • Quantify leaks down to 0.0016 l/min
  • Find PD faults 30x smaller than previously possible
  • Ideal for professionals working in manufacturing, electrical, power, and utilities industries

FLIR Si2x-LD HazLoc Acoustic Imaging Camera

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  • Ultrasonic imager specifically designed for locating compressed air/gas leaks in hazardous areas
  • ATEX certified for Zone 2 (gas) and Zone 22 (dust) hazardous locations
  • 12MP colour camera
  • 124 microphones
  • Frequency range: 2-130 kHz
  • Automatically tunes to the correct frequency
  • Detection distance: up to 200m
  • 128GB SD card
  • Advanced leak detection
  • Estimates the size, rate, and cost of leaks
  • Suitable for locating and assessing compressed air, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, natural gas, helium, argon, ammonia, nitrogen, and steam leaks
  • Mechanical fault analysis
  • Fleet management functionality
  • Cloud data integration
  • OTA software updates
  • QR code reader

FLIR Si2x-Pro HazLoc Acoustic Imaging Camera

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  • An all-in-one tool for detecting partial discharge, mechanical faults, and leaks in hazardous areas
  • ATEX certified for Zone 2 (gas) and Zone 22 (dust) hazardous locations
  • 12MP colour camera
  • 124 microphones
  • Frequency range: 2-130 kHz
  • Automatically tunes to the correct frequency
  • Detection distance: up to 200m
  • 128GB SD card
  • 8x zoom
  • Advanced leak detection
  • Estimates the size, rate, and cost of leaks
  • Pinpoint partial discharge
  • Partial discharge classification and severity assessment
  • Identify mechanical bearing issues
  • Mechanical fault analysis
  • Suitable for locating and assessing compressed air, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, natural gas, helium, argon, ammonia, nitrogen, and steam leaks
  • Mechanical fault analysis
  • Fleet management functionality
  • Cloud data integration
  • OTA software updates
  • QR code reader

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Further Information

For additional details or advice regarding FLIR’s Si2 Acoustic Imaging Cameras, please don’t hesitate to contact our Sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form.

Alternatively, you can find out more about the FLIR Si2 Acoustic Imagers on our website: www.tester.co.uk

View FLIR Acoustic Imaging Cameras

In the meantime, read our advice articles to discover the many ways FLIR acoustic cameras have helped industrial/manufacturing plants save money, and brush up on the factors you should consider before purchasing one.

Conquering Compressed Air Leaks: Seeing Sound & Saving Money with FLIR's Si-Series Acoustic Cameras

Teledyne FLIR Si124 Acoustic Imager Improves Productivity at Pharmaceutical Plant

Teledyne FLIR Si124 Acoustic Imager Application Scenario: Condition Monitoring in Pulp & Paper Mills

6 Things to Consider Before Buying an Acoustic Camera

Footnotes

[1] Ron Marshall, Protect Profits with Compressed Air Leakage Best Practices, last accessed 08 April 2024.

[2] Fluke, Hidden profits found in quick detection of compressed air, gas and vacuum leaks, last 08 April 2024.

[3] Teledyne FLIR, Clearly and Accurately Identify Compressed Air Leaks with FLIR Si-Series Acoustic Imaging Cameras, last accessed 08 April 2024.