Infrared thermography is an advanced technique usually applied for the assessment of thermal losses through different elements of the building envelope, or as a method for detection of damage (cracks) in reinforced concrete elements, such as bridges. Use of this method for the investigation of temperature development during early cement hydration is still an evolving area of research. For the purpose of verifying the reliability of the method, two types of cubic samples of different heights were prepared using a cement-based paste, with 20% of cement (by mass) replaced with fly ash. Temperature development was measured in two ways: using infrared thermography and thermo-sensors embedded in the samples. Additionally, the obtained results were modeled using the asymmetric Gaussian function. Peak temperatures in the middle of each sample were higher than the peak temperatures measured on the sample surface, with differences ranging between 2 °C and 4 °C. Differences between the temperature measurements of the thermo-sensors placed on the surface of the sample and thermal camera were lower than 2 °C. Very good compliance of the results was obtained for both the camera and the surface sensors measurements, as well as for the modeling coefficients.
High-frequency wood drying is the modern method used in raw wood drying so that treated wood can be used further in various processes. Such systems are used because of the economy, energy efficiency, obtaining of good mechanical properties of the wood after treatment, as well as reducing time consumption. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand each component of such systems and processes. The mentioned systems are implemented using high-frequency generators based on vacuum tubes (VT). Their development and, in particular, optimization are by far more complex than the transistor systems; therefore, the development is now compelled to rely on computer modelling and simulation. In this research, a high-frequency (HF) generator of 20 kW output power and 1.5–15 MHz adjustable frequency based on VT was produced and then, with the corresponding model for VT itself and the rest of the developed circuit, was followed by computer simulation and real-system measurement. The model parameters were adjusted, which provided additional system optimization. An extra match of the results from the simulation and measurement was obtained; thus, the optimization was performed faster and more precisely. In addition, an easier and quicker way of adjusting parameters of the PID controller using a developed software-based control system was attained. The problems of cooling the VT anode under high DC voltage, as well as temperature measurement in the HF electric field, have been solved.