Mutah University

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering

Heat Transfer & Thermodynamics Lab 0404423

A Report About Temperature Measurement

Experiment no. 1

Instructor: Eng. Madallah Al Tarawneh

Student Name Student Number

Arwa Mosallam Lassasmeh 120210414019
Rayan Othman Al Masri 120210414078
Ro’a Baker Al Btoush 120210414050
Sarah Muneer Abu Alkhair 120210414081
• Objectives

1- Acquire a knowledge of different temperature measuring devices

including:
- Mercury in glass thermometer
- Vapor pressure thermometer
- Bimetallic thermometer
- Infrared thermometer
- Thermocouple

2- Identify the working mechanism of each temperature measurement

device.
3- Distinguish between the different applications of several temperature
measuring devices.
4- Report the equivalent value of millivolts in Celsius using the
temperature measurement bench.

• Theory and Introduction

Temperature signifies the degree of thermal intensity—whether hot or

cold—of an object or environment, reflecting its molecular activity. This
phenomenon is quantified through a thermometer or other devices
featuring a scale marked in degrees.

Establishing a temperature scale involves selecting two reference points

and partitioning the temperature range between them into a specified
number of degrees. The primary reference points utilized in most
standard scales are the freezing point of water and its boiling point.
• Mercury in Glass Thermometer

- Construction
A glass thermometer is an exquisitely designed glass tube that envelops a
mercury-filled reservoir connected to a thin narrow channel known as the
capillary bore which serves as a chamber for the expanding mercury. The
bulbous, shorter end of the tube, containing the reservoir, is referred to as
the bulb, while the elongated, slender end with the bore is termed the
stem. Inscribed along the stem or on a precisely positioned adjacent plate
is a graduated temperature scale.

- Operating Principle
Liquid in glass thermometers operates fundamentally on the concept of
thermal expansion of materials. Therefore, materials that are highly
sensitive to heat changes are used such as mercury and alcohol.
As the temperature increases, the liquid expands and ascends within the
tube. Conversely, when the temperature decreases, the liquid contracts
and descends.
- Types and Applications
Glass thermometers are classified based on their temperature ranges and
specific applications.
The measuring range of a medical mercury thermometer is between 35°C
and 42°C, and it is usually used to measure human body temperature
only. It can also be employed in industrial settings, where the
measurement range fluctuates from -50 °C to 200°C according to its
application.

Medical Use Industrial Use

- What if the scale of numbers on the thermometer was removed, how

could we take temperature readings ?

By calibration using a known reference point, by taking a sample of

pure water and marking it at known temperature levels, such as the
freezing point of water (0°C) and the boiling point of water (100°C)
and then arranging the numbers between them .
• Vapor Pressure Thermometer

- Construction
A vapor pressure thermometer comprises a bump filled with a volatile
liquid linked to a capillary tube that extends to a bourdon tube, ultimately
connecting to a pointer.

- Operating Principle
A highly volatile liquid is used. The liquid begins to vaporize and fills the
rest of the volume with steam. As a result, the pressure rises until an
equilibrium between the liquid phase and the gas phase is reached.
If the temperature rises, more liquid will vaporize, and the vapour
pressure will rise. Conversely, a drop in temperature causes part of the
gaseous vapour to condense and the vapour pressure to decrease. The
indicated temperature decreases.
 - Types and Applications
Mercury Vapor Pressure Gauge
This gauge uses mercury to measure pressure; heating the mercury causes
it to evaporate, increasing pressure in the glass tube and raising the
mercury level, which is read from a scale. It is utilized in laboratories,
research, and industry, withstanding temperatures up to 350 degrees
Celsius.

Non-Mercury Vapor Pressure Gauge

This gauge employs non-toxic liquids like alcohol and oils, making it
ideal for the food industry due to its safety. The temperature range
depends on the liquid used, and it can handle temperatures up to 200
degrees Celsius.

Mercury Vapor Pressure Gauge Non-Mercury Vapor Pressure Gauge

• Bimetallic Thermometer

- Construction
This thermometer is constructed using two different bimetallic strips. To
create differing thermal expansion coefficients, one metal is chosen for its
low thermal sensitivity, while the other exhibits high thermal sensitivity.
Typically, steel and copper, but steel and brass can also be used. The two
strips are joined together using a variety of techniques including welding
and bolting.

- Operating Principle
Due to the differences in the thermal expansion coefficients, as the
temperature increases, the strip bends toward the metal with the lower
temperature coefficient. Conversely, when the temperature decreases, it
bends toward the metal with the higher temperature coefficient. This
deflection indicates temperature changes, and the bending motion is
linked to the dial on the thermometer, displaying the temperature of the
medium.
- Types and Applications
Helical (Spiral) Bimetallic Strip
Commonly used in temperature measuring instruments, like dial
thermometers, because the rotation of the coil can be directly used to
indicate the temperature.
Straight (Flat) Bimetallic Strip
Often used in thermostats and circuit breakers as a switch to control
devices by making or breaking contacts based on temperature

Spiral Bimetallic Strip Flat Bimetallic Strip

• Infrared Thermometer

- Construction
The infrared thermometer comprises key components for accurate
temperature measurement. The optics system includes a lens that focuses
infrared energy onto a detector, whose quality significantly impacts
accuracy. The detector converts this energy into an electrical signal, while
a microprocessor processes the signal and controls the display. Most
models feature a digital display for temperature readings, with some
offering adjustable emissivity settings and data logging. Additionally, the
durable housing protects internal components and ensures a comfortable
grip.

- Operating Principle
This device works by sensing the infrared rays emitted by objects due to
heat. The device analyses these rays and converts them into a temperature
reading. It is directed towards the body whose temperature is to be
measured and measures the temperature remotely without the need to
touch the body.
- Types and Applications
Medically it is commonly used to measure forehead temperature for ease
and speed of measurement without contact considering the spread of
infectious diseases . in which requires distance between the device and
the body from 2 to 5 cm.The medical temperature measuring range is
usually between 32°C and 43°C.
In industry, it is used to measure temperatures in factories and places that
are difficult to reach or contain hazardous conditions where the distance
may be greater and reach several meters. Industrial infrared thermometers
have a much wider range, being able to measure between -50°C and
3000°C

Medical Use Industrial Use

• Thermocouple

- Construction
A thermocouple consists of two distinct metals with varying
thermoelectric properties, joined at one end while the other ends remain
separate. The connected end is referred to as the hot junction, while the
unconnected ends are known as the cold or reference junction. The metals
can be fused together through welding, twisting, or screwing. Some
common metals used in thermocouples are iron, copper, nickel, and
platinum.

- Operating Principle
The operating principle of a thermocouple is founded on the Seebeck
Effect. This effect asserts that when two dissimilar metals are joined at
two junctions to form a closed circuit, and those junctions are kept at
different temperatures, an electromotive force (e.m.f.) is generated in the
circuit. The induced e.m.f. varies based on the specific metal
combinations used and is directly proportional to the temperature
difference between the junctions.
The amount of EMF generated in the device is very minute (millivolts),
so very sensitive devices must be utilized.
To determine the value of temperature using a thermocouple, the electric
signal must be converted from millivolts to Celsius using a logger/
recorder.
- Types and Applications
K-Type Thermocouple
Chromel and Alumel form a K-type thermocouple. The temperature range
is between 95 and 1260 °C. The neutral or oxidizing environment is best
suited for these types of the thermocouple. It generates an EMF variation
below 1800°F due to hysteresis, which restricts its use in an inert and
oxidizing environment below this temperature. They are most used in
refineries.

B-Type Thermocouple
The alloy combination is of Platinum (6% Rhodium) and Platinum (30%
Rhodium). This thermocouple exhibits a temperature range between 1370
to 1700 °C. It is mainly used in applications executed at extremely high
temperatures, such as glass production.
• Apparatus

1- Heater
2- Distilled water
3- Thermocouple
4- Mercury in glass thermometer
5- Temperature measurement bench

Temperature Measurement Bench

• Procedure

- Part 1
1- A mercury in glass is placed in the heater containing distilled water at
room temperature.
2- The thermocouple is connected to both the Temperature measurement
bench and the water in the heater.
3- Turn on the heater.
4- Observe and record the millivolt readings on the bench and the
equivalent temperature in Celsius on the glass thermometer every 10
seconds until the water boils.
5- Turn off the heater.

- Part 2
Connect two thermocouples once in series and the other in parallel in two
different pots containing cold and hot water separately.
• Data

- Part 1

Temperature in °C ( glass thermometer) Millivolt signal ( thermocouple)

32 0.3
34 0.5
35 0.6
37 0.7
40 0.9
42 1
44 1.1
47 1.3
49 1.4
52 1.5
54 1.6
57 1.7
59 1.8
62 2
65 2.1
67 2.2
70 2.3
72 2.5
75 2.6
77 2.7
82 2.8
84 2.8
87 2.9
89 3
92 3.1

- Part 2

Temperature in °C Millivolt signal Connection Observation

92 3.5 Series Summation
85 2 Parallel Difference
• Results

Thermocouple Voltage to Temperature

3.5

2.5
Millivolt signal

1.5

0.5

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Temperature in °C

• Analysis and Conclusion

- Water boiled at 92°C due to the addition of undistilled water and the
high elevation of the campus.
- A direct linear relation is observed between the temperature reading on
glass thermometer and the millivolt signal.
- Thermocouples connected in parallel produce an average output
voltage, while those connected in series have an additive output where
the total voltage increases as more thermocouples are added.
- Several devices are available to measure temperature in which has its
specific application.