Acoustic and Thermal Imaging
What is Acoustic Imaging?
Acoustic and thermal imaging combines two powerful diagnostic modalities: sound visualization and infrared heat mapping. This technology enables the detection of mechanical faults, fluid leaks, electrical discharge, and energy losses — all without interrupting operations or dismantling equipment.
Acoustic imaging identifies ultrasonic emissions, structure-borne noise, or tonal irregularities, while thermal imaging reveals temperature gradients, overheating, or cooling inefficiencies. This technology is particularly impactful in large-scale industrial systems, where invisible energy losses often lead to massive operational costs and safety risks.
Why?
In power plants and natural gas facilities, undetected air, steam, or gas leaks result in significant energy waste, production inefficiencies, and even safety hazards.
By combining acoustic and thermal imaging, technicians can:
-
Detect invisible gas leaks in real time
-
Locate high-temperature anomalies in electrical or mechanical systems
-
Monitor energy losses in pressurized pipelines and valves
-
Identify hotspots or discharge points in transformers and power distribution
Providing faster maintenance, reduced downtime, and major cost savings — with minimal disruption to operations.
Industry Needs & Compliance
Energy and utility sectors are under increasing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and maintain grid reliability. Organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), OSHA, and API (American Petroleum Institute) promote non-intrusive inspection tools for improving plant reliability.
Common use cases also align with:
-
NFPA 70B – Recommended practice for thermographic inspection
-
API Standard 554 – Process control systems for gas/petroleum
-
ISO 50001 – Energy management systems
-
OSHA 1910.147 – Control of hazardous energy
Acoustic and thermal imaging supports regulatory goals while helping companies meet internal ESG, sustainability, and cost-efficiency targets.
Industry Applications
Noise challenges demand industry-specific solutions
Power Generation Facilities
Detect air and steam leaks in turbine systems, monitor switchgear and transformers for overheating, and pinpoint arc discharge in high-voltage panels. Thermal-acoustic overlays provide a complete picture of system stress and energy loss without requiring power shutdowns.
Natural Gas Plants & Refineries
Acoustic imaging detects high-pressure gas leaks invisible to the human eye and traditional sensors. Thermal imaging validates temperature balance in pipelines, flanges, and valves — ensuring operational safety and reducing product loss in high-risk environments.
Electrical Substations
Identify hotspots, loose connections, and corona discharges in live switchgear or busbars. Reduce the risk of arc flash or unplanned outages with thermal-acoustic checks during routine inspections.
Aerospace & Aviation
Verify thermal and vibration integrity of turbine housings, avionics, and eVTOL propulsion systems. Combined imaging enhances non-contact inspection during MRO operations or field deployment.
EV & Battery Systems
Monitor electric motor noise and battery thermal gradients to validate thermal management designs. A dual-sensing view supports root cause analysis for performance anomalies in hybrid and electric platforms.
Smart Manufacturing
Track acoustic anomalies in high-speed automation, while monitoring heat levels in servo motors and embedded control systems. Useful for predictive maintenance and quality assurance in Industry 4.0 environments.
Our Solutions
Detect. Analyze. Prevent.
Engineered for industrial diagnostics and real-world reliability.
ZX 5000 Acoustic Imaging Cameras
Visualize sound sources in real time, even in noisy environments
Get in touch
2570 N First St, 2nd Floor
San Jose, CA 95131
United States
+1 (408) 320-5333
+1 (570) 599-6642