Hydrogen fires emit near zero radiation in the visible waveband : in daylight they are virtually invisible. This is a major safety hazard particularly in the aerospace industry where hydrogen is used as a rocket propellant. A practical imaging system has been constructed to detect non-visible radiation that these fires give off. The emission spectra, atmospheric transmission, background emission and reflection have been quantified under many conditions. This shows thermal wavelengths are well suited for this application. A low cost, uncooled, staring array TV compatible thermal imager has been optimised for this. The resultant image is 'punched through' to superimpose the flame on a bore-sighted visual TV picture. The theory and operation of the imager are explained.
A Hydrogen Fire Detection System Using A Thermal Imaging System And Its Application To Space Launch Vehicles
Optical Systems for Space and Defence ; 1989 ; London,United Kingdom
Proc. SPIE ; 1191
1990-04-01
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
NASA's Advanced Space Transportation System Launch Vehicles
SAE Technical Papers | 1990
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