Thermographic Inspection Of Operating Pumping Units In Permian Basin Oil Fields

Richard E Witte

doi:10.1117/12.939154

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27 March 1984 Thermographic Inspection Of Operating Pumping Units In Permian Basin Oil Fields

Richard E Witte

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Proceedings Volume 0446, Thermosense VI: Thermal Infrared Sensing for Diagnostics and Control; (1984) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.939154
Event: Thermal Infrared Sensing for Diagnostics and Control: Thermosense VI, 1983, Oak Brook, United States

Abstract

Thermographic inspection, through the use of portable infrared imagers, has been performed on over two thousand pumping units in several active Permian Basin oil fields in the past two years. An infrared imager with camera adaptability was used to inspect saddle bearings, equalizer bearings, wrist pin bearings, exterior gearbox bearings, electric motor and related switch gear on each beam-type pumping unit. In some instances, transformers were also scanned for thermal differentials. This technique detects and isolates abnormal variations in the radiant energy emitted from the bearings, motor and switch gear. Thus, qualitative and quantitative data on each problem bearing or electrical component was precisely established. Thermograms and photographs were taken to document the condition.

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Richard E Witte "Thermographic Inspection Of Operating Pumping Units In Permian Basin Oil Fields", Proc. SPIE 0446, Thermosense VI: Thermal Infrared Sensing for Diagnostics and Control, (27 March 1984); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.939154

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