Contact-free measurement

The ARTUS system measures surface temperatures without any actual contact, whereby ARTUS is specially adapted for use in incineration plants but can also be used for open-air stores, warehouses and building protection.

Using the video images, the ARTUS software determines the current temperature values of the surface monitored and archives the measured values. The user can choose between the images of any single zone. If temperature limits or permissible changes in temperature are exceeded, the system generates an alarm. Hot spots hidden under the surface are also detected as they cause an increase in surface temperature long before an open fire starts. 
  
In the event of a fire, the far-infrared camera is still capable of supplying video images of the affected zone - even in case of dense fog or smoke. This feature is provided by means of a LWIR-camera. Therefore the emitted light of the hot body reaches the detector without major changes.

Dense fog and smoke resistance

In the event of an open fire, the far-infrared camera is still capable of supplying video images of the affected zone, even after firefighting activities have been initiated by the main fire alarm system and in spite of the presence of dense fog or smoke. This feature is provided by means of a LWIR-camera. Therefore the emitted light of the hot body reaches the detector without major changes. Designed as a fully automated system with built-in self tests ARTUS continuously checks the internal components and logs the events. The entire system is designed in accordance with the requirements of the German regional environment ministries (LUA) and the Association of Property Insurance Companies (VdS).

Hot spot detection

The smallest size of detectable hot spots depends on the monitored area / zone and the optical lens system. In the following example we will suppose an incineration plant with dimensions 20x40x25 m and a 24° lens system. The area to be monitored is in a distance of 50m. The smallest hot spot which can be monitored has a size of approx. 15x15 cm. The size depends on the camera position, the selected lens system and the inclination of the camera to the waste surface. The ARTUS system can easily be adapted to a broad variety of applications and customer demands.
 
Zone allocation

The area to be monitored are divided into zones enabling an infrared camera to monitor the entire area successively with the aid of a tilt & turn device. The adjustment of the zones ensures that the whole incineration plant can be observed. The actual fill level does not change the camera settings. If the whole area is divided into 24 zones the measurement of all zones takes approx. 2 minutes.
 
Secure evaluation

In case of an alarm the user can switch from automatic to manual mode to make a detailed analysis of one single zone. Alarms can be passed via potential-free contacts. False alarms are prevented because the software needs to detect a predefined number of image pixels with a temperature above the user specified limit to generate an alarm. The number of pixels and temperature limits can be specified by the customer.