Mapping of the heat flux of an insulated small container by infrared thermography

The overall thermal transmittance of a small insulated container has been measured according to the ATP (Agreement for Transport of Perishables foodstuffs) standard testing procedure. During the test a thermographic apparatus has been used to map the temperature of the external walls of the container and to identify possible defects and thermal bridges. Moreover a heat flux meter was positioned on different surfaces of the container in order to assess the convective heat transfer coefficient in the different directions. The thermographic images have been processed with the application of homography. With the knowledge of the convective heat transfer coefficient it has been possible to create temperature and heat flux maps of the observed walls. The heat flux exchanged between the container and the environment calculated with the alternative procedure has been compared with the results of the thermal transmittance value measured according to the ATP test.