INTRODUCTION TO THERMAL SCREENING DRONES

Thermal sensors are increasingly being used with drones, giving users the chance to ‘see’
from an aerial perspective, no matter the light or ground cover conditions. Those investing
in the technology include everyone for government agencies to private companies and the
industry looks set to develop even further.

Why use thermal drones?

There really are no limits to the uses of thermal technology in drones. Fire rescue services
are investing in them to monitor wildfires and even track potential victims, even when
dense smoke makes surveillance possible with the naked eye. Police forces are using them
to track suspects, day or night. Search and rescue are on key area which has really
benefitted from the introduction of thermal imaging in aerial drones, picking out the heat of
a human body in the wilds, from mountains to forests, and coordinating the correct
response. Infra-red cameras mounted within powerful drones have vital implications for the
future of the Defence industry but also provide multiple benefits for commercial use. Gone
are the days of fixed cameras for surveillance or the costly use of helicopters. These small,
unmanned flying devices can reach places their alternatives cannot access and are infinitely
more discreet. So, it is perhaps no surprise that industries as diverse as archelogy, where
thermal infrared images can help locate buried artefacts and structures, to conservationism,
using cameras to track potential poachers, are investing. Equally, thermal imaging from a
drone can detect gas leaks, help manage traffic and guard the perimeter fences of sensitive
businesses. They are used in surveying and mapping; the agricultural industry can manage
livestock remotely. Thermal drones can also be used for environmental and safety
compliance, as well as performance, in the oil and gas industry.
Using a thermal camera effectively means keeping the following
factors in mind:
 Atmospheric conditions
 The presence of smoke, dust, and debris
 Emissivity
 Transparency
 Reflectivity
 Time of day
 Viewing angle
 Paint on an object
 Distance from target
 Amount of thermal energy
 Surface roughness or smoothness

APPLICATIONS
Fire-fighting

Firefighters have started to use drones with thermal cameras both before and after massive
firefighting operations. During the planning phase, doing a quick aerial survey of the area
allows firefighters to come up with a strategy to contain a fire. Once most of the fire has
been put off, another aerial survey can help them identify areas that are still smouldering
and can eventually grow into big fires. This strategy not only helps firefighters put out fires
faster, but it also helps keep them safe while out in the field. It is now common for a drone
to keep monitoring a situation during firefighting operations to redirect firefighters from
hazards.
Tower and power line inspection
Inspection of critical infrastructures like communications towers and power lines can be one
of the biggest jobs in a drone pilot’s career. Drones are especially effective for such jobs

because of how quickly they can cover huge distances and the unique aerial perspective
they provide. The problem is that some of the common problems in power lines and towers
can be quite difficult to detect using only visual sensors. There’s also the fact that drones
cannot fly close to these structures since they emit strong electromagnetic interference.
Thermal cameras can help drones more easily detect damaged sections in power lines and
towers. For instance, a segment of a power line with compromised electrical transmission
can create a “hot spot” due to heat build-up.

Surveillance
Drones and thermal imaging are a magic combination that has been used for decades by the
military for surveillance. This is still true nowadays, especially with smaller drones that have
better transmission technology and can be programmed to fly autonomously. Instead of
being used to spy on enemy camps, many drones are now used to enhance existing security
systems. Drones can be programmed to deploy at fixed schedules and fly along a pre-
Determined flight path with minimal pilot intervention. By augmenting that capability with
thermal imaging, such surveillance activities can be extended even under the cover of
darkness – perhaps when they are needed the most.

Solar farm inspection

With more and more countries pivoting towards renewable energy sources, solar power has
proven to be one of the most affordable and easy to implement options. Its major
downside, aside from relying on a seasonal power source, is that it requires a lot of land.
Solar farms can be a logistical challenge since they can cover just as much area as
agricultural farms but have so much more equipment that need to be inspected and
maintained. Doing inspection runs using a drone with a thermal camera has become a
widely used solution to this problem. The concept works because a functioning solar panel
should not have a lot of heat build-up, as the photovoltaic cells continuously turn the heat
into electricity. This means that an anomalous heat signature can be taken as a sign of a
damaged solar panel. While the applications for thermal imaging as a drone service seem
very specific, there is still a growing demand for it that is only served by a small number of
drone pilots. There are likely a few others that we have failed to mention here, such as the
inspection of insulation in buildings or the detection of leaks along utility pipelines.

Aerial utility and mine drone Inspections

Inspecting utility infrastructure, from plants and solar panel installations to far-flung power
lines, is easier with drones. Using thermal cameras alongside conventional imaging allows
crews to watch out for potential failure risks in new ways, or even inspect the status of
thermal panels. No matter how large a plant or mine is, drones can fly over the site and take
readings.