Plant industries in the fields of power, chemical, oil, gas, etc., face problems such as aging equipment and a shortage of operators. Rational operation and maintenance based on condition monitoring and the maintenance of stable operations have become an issue. In response, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has developed a multipoint temperature measurement technology that is useful for plant condition monitoring. This technology uses optical fiber thermometers with excellent heat resistance and can measure temperatures at multiple points with a single piece. For example, this technology enables early detection of abnormalities and optimization of inspection and renewal work when used to monitor the temperature of many heat transfer tubes used in thermal power generation boiler plants. In a long-term demonstration test being conducted on an actual boiler, it was confirmed that the technology can be installed at a lower cost in a shorter period of time than conventional technologies and that temperature distribution can be monitored during rated operation, and continuous measurement for more than one year was achieved. We will continue to verify the long-term durability and measurement performance of this technology and apply it to various plant equipment to contribute to solving the problems of condition monitoring and maintenance planning.
