CHAPTER 4

TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENT
 Objectives
After finish this lesson, you will be able to:
• Define the temperature
• Convert temp unit
• Realize the categories of temp device
• Understand the important of thermowells
in temp device
• Apply the principle and operation of temp
device (RTD. TC, filled-system, bimetallic)
 Introduction
• Temperature is a physical property of
matter that quantitatively expresses
the common notions of hot and cold.
• most widely used since 17th century by
Galileo
• technology is continuously improved
• typical assembly consists of a
thermowell, temperature element,
extension, temperature transmitter
 Measurement Unit
• common: Fahrenheit & Celsius
• F, C & K recognized internationally
• F & C developing from 2 fixed point: ice
& steam, at atmospheric pressure
• conversion

 9
 F   C   C  K  273.15
 5
 Thermowells
• used to protect the element
• If well not required, clear label attached to
element to indicate no well present
• T/Ws create time delay. Without well has
1-10s time delay, a well 20-50s delay
• Used in most cases, where temperature
elements are installed.
• There are exceptions to this rule, such as in
• Internals of some equipment
(compressors, turbines)
• Bearings, where space is very limited
• Surface temperature measurement
• Fast response applications
• Air-space temperature measurements
• T/W construction &
material must carefully
matched with process
requirement
• Material vary with the
application & required
speed of response
- metal: max varies from
800F (iron) - 2300F
(inconel)
- ceramic: max 1900F (fused
silica) - 3000F (silicon
carbide)
 TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENT DEVICES
 Resistance Temperature
Detector (RTD)
Principles
• every metal – unique composition & has a
different resistance to flow electrical
current
• most metal - changes in electrical resistance
directly proportional to change in
temperature; linear
• it is called temperature coefficient of
electrical resistance (TCR)
• RTD is regarded high precision wire
wound resistor; resistance varies with
temperature
• by measuring resistance, temperature can
be measured
RTD
Constructions
• pure metals (platinum, nickel, copper)
• typical probe contains a coil of very fine
metal wire; allowing large resistance
change without great space requirement
• common: platinum RTD - accuracy &
linearity
• Accurate sensor - can measure
temperature change of 0.00001 C
• usually protected from the environment
by a sheath made of stainless steel or
another temperature & corrosion
resistance material
• element fits snugly inside sheath to
produce high rate of heat transfer
• fine powder used to eliminate air pockets
• ceramics insulators used to isolate
internal lead wires.
• At the end of tube a hermetic seal, to
protects the element
• assembly may be terminated with lead
wires/ may supplies with an appropriate
terminal block similar to TC assembly
Operations

• To detect small variations of resistance,

temperature transmitter in form of
Wheatstone bridge is used
• the circuit compared RTD value with three
known & highly accurate resistors
• Wheatstone; available 2 wire, 3 wire, 4
wire elements
• Wheatstone bridge consist: 3 resistors,
voltmeter, voltage source
• when current flow in the meter is zero
(voltage point A = voltage point B); null
balance
• this is set point on RTD temperature
output.
• As RTD temp increase, voltage increase
• voltage transducer replaces voltmeter, 4-20
mA signal can be monitored
• when RTD is install some distance away
from transmitter, it caused problem
• long connecting wires; resistance of wires
changes as ambient temperature fluctuates
• variations in wire resistance would
introduce error in the transmitter
• eliminate problem; 3-wire RTD is used
(impedance in wires will cancel because
they are in opposite legs of the bridge)
RTD
RTD Advantages

• most stable, more accurate at moderate

temperature
• less susceptible to electric noise
• operate higher level of electrical signal
• response time very fast compared
thermocouple (faction in sec)
• more sensitive & more linear than TC
• not experience drift problems because not
self-powered
• not required special extension cable
• radioactive radiation has minimal effect
RTD Disadvantages

• more expensive (purest metal)

• not capable measuring as wide temp range
as TC
• power supply failure, cause erroneous
reading
• small changes in resistance (vibration, not
tight, corrosion) – create error
• resistance curve vary from manufacturer
• accuracy & service life are limited at high
temperature
• RTD can found in reactor area temperature
measurement & fuel channel coolant
temperature
 Thermocouple
Principles

• consist 2 pieces of dissimilar metals with

their ends joined together (twisting,
soldering, welding)
• when heat applied, voltage (mV) is
generated
• the joined produce a thermal
electromotive force (emf) when junctions
at different temperature
• TC is self-powered
• Typical response time of bare TC
(0.2 -12s)
Constructions
• TC wires are manufactured to close
tolerances & tend to be expensive
• their limited is to probe itself
• TC extension wires, used as a link between
TC & measuring device/transducer
Thermocouple
• 3 basic types of TC construction
Ceramic beaded
Insulated (plastic, glass, ceramic fiber)
Metal-sheathed mineral-insulated
(MSMI); extruded (sheath – stainless
steel/inconel & mineral – Al2O3/MgO)
• TC can be constructed to be protected/
exposed
• protected; can be grounded/ungrounded
• grounded: give faster response, but
susceptible to electrical noise
• ungrounded: slower response, electrically
isolated
• TC may be spring-loaded, so the tip & well
surface remain in contact to ensure good
heat transfer
• if exposed, the faster response is provided,
but the wires are totally unprotected
• when TC get thinner:
the recommended upper temp limit is
reduced
the error decreases & the response is
faster to temp changes
the element becomes more fragile
at high temp, accuracy is more sensitive to
material (wire impurities)
Operations
TC: 2 junctions for measuring.

Hot junction
• hot junction: the end inserted in the medium to
measured temperature

Cold junction
• cold junction: connected to measurement
device (e.g. milimeter, potientiometer,
galvanometer)

~ voltage generated depends on temperature

• in a circuit, loop current
depends on relative
magnitude of voltage.
Detect by galvanometer
• to measure temp, one
end contact with
process, other end kept
at const temp
• emf thermocouple
increases when the
difference in junction
temp increases
• relationship between total circuit voltage
(emf) & emf at the junction is:

Circuit emf = Measurement emf – Reference emf

• if circuit emf & reference emf known,

measurement can be calculated
• convert to 4-20 mA signal, transmitter is
needed: temperature transmitter
• the temp measurement circuit consists a TC
connected directly to temperature transmitter.
• hot & cold junction can located wherever required
to measure temp diff
• Need monitor the temp rise to ensure the safe
operation
• T rise of a device is the operating T using ambient
or room temperature as the reference.
Types of TC

• Copper–constantan (Type T)
– pure copper (+ve) element &
constantan (-ve) element
– Constantan: group of alloys, contain
approximately 55% copper & 45%
nickel.
• Iron – constantan (Type J)

- iron (+ve) element & constantan (–ve)

element
- can be applied in oxidizing / reducing
atmospheres.
• Chromel – Alumel (Type K)

- Chromel (+ve) element & alumel (-ve)

element
- Chromel is an alloy with a nominal
composition of 90 % nickel & 10 %
chromium
- Alumel contains 95 % nickel plus
aluminum and silicon with manganese
- Chromel – alumel TC must be used in
oxidizing / neutral atmospheres
• Chromel – constantan (Type E)

- Chromel (+ve) element & Constantan

(-ve) element
- highest emf per degree change of
temp of any commonly used TC
- suitable for oxidizing atmospheres &
not corrode at sub-freezing temp
- operating limits of -180oC and +870oC
when protected and is available in
wire
 Advantages
o resistance to corrosion in moist atmosphere,
limits error below 0oC, suitable for
subfreezing temperature measurement.
o can be furnished higher degree of accuracy
for temp between -270 & +400oC than any
other commonly used thermocouple
o can be applied in either oxidizing /reducing
atmospheres between stated temp
o used on most transformers
(hot junction inside the transformer oil &
cold junction at the meter mounted on the
outside).
o used exclusively around the turbine hall
because of their rugged construction and
low cost.
o capable of measuring a wider temperature
range than an RTD
o self-powered
o simple & rugged
o inexpensive (half-price of RTD)
o wide choice of physical forms
o can be calibrated to generate a specific
curve & easy to interchange
o fast response & measurement at one
specific point
 Disadvantages
TC located some distance away from the
measuring device, expensive extension
wires / compensating cables have to be
used.
TC are not used in areas where high
radiation fields are present.
generate non-linear output & low voltage
required a reference junction
have a low sensitivity
limited in accuracy
need type-matching extension wires
slower response than RTDs
susceptible to stray electrical signal
 Filled-Systems
Principles
• metallic assembly consists a
bulb, small-diameter
tubing (capillary) &
Bourdon spring
• indicator linked to
Bourdon tube indicates
temp
• sometimes bellows &
diaphragm are used
• system filled with a liquid /
gas that expands & contract
as the temp sensed at the
bulb increased & decreased
• expansion / contraction
translated to mechanical
motion
• liquid causes volume changes
& gas causes press changes
• this device generally used for
local indication
Filled-systems
Operations
• an improvement
liquid–in-glass
thermometer
• need no power to
function, simple,
rugged, self-
contained, accurate
over narrow temp
span
• bulb may be too large for existing
application & on system failure, the whole
system must be replaces
• capillary tubing is limited to a distance of
250 ft
• slow to respond & relative expensive
• it is susceptible to ambient temp changes
around the capillary & ambient temp
compensation is often required
• occasional checking & testing
required to maintain accuracy
• capillary tubing should be
continuously supported &
protected against damage
• capillary’s construction material
should be compatible with the
surrounding environment
• bulb must be immersed
sufficiently to ensure that the
actual temp is being measured
Vapor Liquid
 Bimetallic
Principles

• a spiral made of two different metals,

having different coefficient of expansion;
expands as the temp increase
• movement by expansion drives an
indicator on a scale
• industrial bimetallic use a helical; coil to fit
inside a stem
• most temp
switches operate
on this principle;
but guides
provide min of
friction for the
moving
component
Operations

• generally used in local temp gages &

switches
• To facilitate reading – “all-angle” types
usually are selected with a 5 in. diameter
dial
• capillary type is sometimes used for
operating visibility
• if vibration exist; thermometer may be
filled with a dampening fluid (compatible
with the process fluid, in case of leakage)
• simple construction, has few moving parts
& required little maintenance
• lowest cost among temp device, low
accuracy & provides no remote indication
• To calibrate; must be immersed in a bath of
known temp
 DISADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES

 They are not  They are simple,

recommended for robust and inexpensive.
temperature above  Their accuracy is
4000C. between +or- 2% to 5%
 When regularly used, of the scale.
the bimetallic may  They can with stand
permanently deform, 50% over range in
which in turn will temperatures.
introduce errors.
 The following are the important properties a
material should have to be selected for bimetallic
thermometers.

 Coefficient of expansion.
Modulus of elasticity.
Elastic limit after cold rolling.
Electrical conductivity.
Ductility.
Metallurgical ability.
 Temperature Measurement
Safety
• Thermometer, resistance bulb, TC & bulb systems
are placed in thermowell.
• Thermowell protects the measuring device from
corrosive and erosive effect of measured
medium.
• Bare TC is install to increase measurement speed
and sensitivity.
• Primary temp measuring devices can be
connected to indicator, recorder & controller.