Measurement and Instrumentation Lab

Experiment No.7 Temperature Calibration Using Temperature

Calibration Unit
Name: Abdul Rehman
Roll no: 002
Group no: A1
Teacher: Professor Mudassar Shareef
Instructor: Sir M. Waleed
Submission date: 22nd December 2022

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Nilore, Islamabad
 Contents

1. Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3
3. Theory ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Bimetallic Strip Thermometer ........................................................................................................ 3
Mercury in Glass Thermometer ...................................................................................................... 4
Vapour Pressure Temperature Sensor ............................................................................................. 4
Thermistor ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Thermocouple ................................................................................................................................. 6
4. List of Equipment ....................................................................................................................... 7
5. Procedure .................................................................................................................................... 7
6. Observations and Calculations .................................................................................................... 7
7. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 9

List of Tables

Table 2: Temperature Reading for Different Gauges ..................................................................... 8

List of Figures

Figure 1 Bimetallic Strip Thermometer .......................................................................................... 3

Figure 2 Mercury in Glass Thermometer........................................................................................ 4
Figure 3 Vapour Pressure Temperature Sensor .............................................................................. 5
Figure 4 Thermistor ........................................................................................................................ 6
Figure 5 Thermocouple ................................................................................................................... 6
1. Abstract
The main purpose of this experiment is to compare different methods of Temperature
measurement i.e., alcohol thermometer, bimetallic strip, resistance thermometer and
thermocouple and to calibrate different thermometers using Alcohol thermometers. We utilized a
bimetallic strip thermometer as a secondary standard, a mercury in glass thermometer, a vapor
pressure temperature sensor, and RTD, a thermistor, and a thermocouple among the
measurement equipment.

2. Introduction
Various temperature measurement instruments are used in labs and workplaces pertaining to the
specialized use required and the dynamic response of the measuring variable i.e., either slow
temperature change or fast changing values. This lab made use of bimetallic strip thermometer, a
mercury in glass thermometer, a vapor pressure temperature sensor, and RTD, a thermistor and a
thermocouple.

3. Theory
Bimetallic Strip Thermometer
The principle behind a bimetallic strip thermometer relies on the fact that different metals
expand at different rates as they warm up. By bonding two different metals together, you can
make a simple electric controller that can withstand fairly high temperatures. This sort of
controller is often found in ovens. Two metals make up the bimetallic strip. One metal would
be chosen to expand faster than the other metal if the device were being used in an oven. In a
refrigerator, you would use the opposite setup, so that as the temperature rises the other metal
expands faster than the former metal. This causes the strip to bend upward, making contact so
that current can flow. By adjusting the size of the gap between the strip and the contact, you
control the temperature.

Figure 1: Bimetallic Strip Thermometer

Mercury in Glass Thermometer
The bulb thermometer is the common glass thermometer. The thermometer contains some
type of fluid, generally mercury. Bulb thermometers rely on the simple principle that a liquid
changes its volume relative to its temperature. Liquids take up less space when they are cold
and more space when they are warm. Sealing mercury in a small glass thermometer solves
these problems. The small size of the bulb means that the bulb reaches the temperature of
what it is measuring very quickly, and the tube in such a thermometer is micro-fine. Mercury
also avoids the freezing and boiling problems associated with water.

Figure 2: Mercury in Glass Thermometer

Vapour Pressure Temperature Sensor

The vapour filled system uses a volatile liquid/vapor combination to generate a temperature-
dependent fluid expansion. They also do not require any compensation for temperature effects.
This form of measurement is based on the vapour-pressure curves of the fluid and measurement
occurs at the transition between the liquid and vapour phases. Different materials have different
vapour pressure-temperature characteristics. Methyl chloride is quite commonly used in this
type of sensor. Vapour filled thermal systems are non-linear and are generally more sensitive
at the higher end of the scale.
 Figure 3: Vapour Pressure Temperature Sensor

Thermistor
A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance is strongly dependent on temperature, more so
than in standard resistors. The word thermistor is a portmanteau of thermal and resistor.
Thermistors are divided based on their conduction model. The main use of a thermistor is to
measure the temperature of a device. In a temperature-controlled system, the thermistor is a
small but important piece of a larger system. A temperature controller monitors the temperature
of the thermistor.
 Figure 4: Thermistor

Thermocouple
A thermocouple is comprised of at least two metals joined together to form two junctions. One
is connected to the body whose temperature is to be measured; this is the hot or measuring
junction. The other junction is connected to a body of known temperature; this is the cold or
reference junction. Therefore, the thermocouple measures unknown temperature of the body
with reference to the known temperature of the other body. As per the Peltier effect, when two
dissimilar metals are joined together to form two junctions, emf is generated within the circuit
due to the different temperatures of the two junctions of the circuit.

Figure 5 Thermocouple
The Type K is the most common type of thermocouple. It’s inexpensive, accurate, reliable, and
has a wide temperature range. The type K is commonly found in nuclear applications because
of its relative radiation hardness. The Type J is also very common. It has a smaller temperature
range and a shorter lifespan at higher temperatures than the Type K. The Type S is used in very
high temperature applications. It is commonly found in the Biotech and Pharmaceutical
industries. It is sometimes used in lower temperature applications because of its high accuracy
and stability.

4. List of Equipment
Temperature calibration unit

5. Procedure
1. Fill the water bath with water.
2. Set the temperature range and turn the thermostat on. Make sure that all thermometers are
dipped in water properly.
3. Make sure to stir the water during heating for uniform temperature throughout water bath.
4. After reaching the maximum set temperature, thermostat will turn off the heater.
5. Note value of temperature using all four types of thermometers.
6. Now increase the temperature range using thermostat and repeat the steps from 2 to 5.
7. Alcohol thermometer, bimetallic strip and thermocouple output readings are in "C, while
resistance thermometer show reading in Q. This reading is converted into oc using calibration
charts.
8. To calibrate the bimetallic strip, thermocouple and resistance thermometer using alcohol
thermometer by plotting temperature values of each against readings of alcohol thermometer and
get equation.

6. Observations and Calculations

 Table 1: Temperature Reading for Different Gauges

Temperature Reading for Different Gauges

Temperature (°C)
Instrument
Ambient Cold Water Hot
K-Type
13.5 13.6 96.1
Thermocouple
J-Type
13.2 13.4 118.2
Thermocouple
Thermistor 17.7 16.6 98.4
Bimetal Strip 18 15 99

Vapour
18 16 98
Pressure Gauge

Figure 6 Temperature Plot for Thermoeter Calibration Unit

140

120

100
Temperature (°C)

K-Type Thermocouple
80 J-Type Thermocouple

60
Thermistor
Bimetal Strip
40
Vapour Pressure Gauge
20

0
1 2 3

8. Discussion
The main purpose of this experiment is to compare different methods of Temperature
measurement i.e., alcohol thermometer, bimetallic strip, resistance thermometer and
thermocouple and to calibrate different thermometers using Alcohol thermometers. As shown in
the table, the measured temperature values from other devices do not match the values from a
mercury thermometer. The values are slightly different from the original values. This
misalignment is the result of instrument calibration error. As a result, the devices were calibrated
to a standard which in this case was a mercury thermometer.
Several types of temperature measuring devices are used in industry to monitor temperature.
However, the bulk of these gadgets involve a transducer, which introduces inaccuracy final
findings. Due to the secondary section of the transducer, the inaccuracy was apparent in most of
the instruments used in this experiment. Calibration errors are a form of bias error caused by this
type of incomplete response. All measurements vary slightly original results that can be
corrected by calibration with a reference device.
Other errors included the following:
Insufficient and insufficient workspace
Inefficiency in capturing a wider range of measurements due to time constraints
Limit to the lowest possible number
Temperature fluctuations in the laboratory environment
Lack of coordination among group members resulting in absenteeism
comprehensive and accurate data recorded in real time.

7. Conclusion
It can be concluded that different instruments measure the temperatures differently. Their
dynamic response is change and their accuracy is change. Thermistor was the most accurate.
Thermocouples were the fastest. K type was faster than J type.