Use of a Thermal Imaging Camera in the Field of Wastewater and Waste Management (since 2017)

In addition to the use of thermography (thermal imaging) in connection with the energy assessment of buildings and building components, there are also useful applications in environmental engineering when temperatures or temperature differences are significant or can be observed as a result of biological, chemical, or physical processes.

Examples involving solid materials include aerobic biowaste treatment (composting) or the thermophilic digestion of sewage sludge. Wastewater heat is a key focus of energy utilization at wastewater treatment plants and in sewer networks, e.g., through heat exchangers. In addition to image recording, temperature (data) loggers can be used to record temperature trends (e.g., to assess the dynamics in “intensive digestion”) or to determine the exact time of an event (e.g., during “tank discharge”).

Example: Documenting the operation of a stormwater overflow basin