Case study · CCTV
Seeing flames the eye cannot
IAAPS is testing methanol as a low-carbon marine fuel as part of the CHAMP2 consortium. Methanol burns with an almost invisible flame, so we fitted a thermal camera that can see it.
possible cut in CO₂ emissions from methanol fuel
from the camera arriving to running live
the trial unit was kept and more Axis kit added
The challenge
A fuel that burns with a flame you can’t see.
Methanol is one of the most promising low-carbon fuels for ships, but it is toxic, can be explosive and burns with a nearly invisible flame. A fire in the propulsion test cell could go unnoticed by anyone watching a normal camera.
IAAPS needed a reliable way to spot a methanol fire during engine tests, without slowing down the research.
What we did
What we put in place.
Specified the right camera
As an Axis partner, we recommended the AXIS Q1961-TE thermal camera, with an uncooled microbolometer sensor.
Trial before purchase
IAAPS tested a loan unit in the live test cell before committing.
Integrated in minutes
The camera joined the existing camera system and recording without rework.
Colour-mapped live view
Operators watch a live temperature map of every test, so heat shows up whether or not a flame is visible.
The outcome
What changed.
Invisible fires detected
Operators can now reliably spot a methanol fire in the test cell.
The loan became a purchase
IAAPS bought the camera after the trial.
More Axis hardware since
Further Axis cameras have been added, with plans to bring the thermal camera into the main network.
Kit & technology
Built with.
- AXIS Q1961-TE
- Thermal imaging
- Microbolometer sensor
- Recording integration
“Axis hardware has proved to be an effective and efficient way to monitor for invisible fires in our propulsion cell test lab.”
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