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 1959 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
5

C = K 273.15

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
800F (iron) - 2300F
(inconel)
- ceramic: max 1900F (fused
silica) - 3000F (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, transmitted 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

Copperconstantan (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
liquidin-glass
thermometer
need no power to
function, simple,
rugged, selfcontained, 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
capillarys 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
They are not
recommended for
temperature above
4000C.
When regularly used,
the bimetallic may
permanently deform,
which in turn will
introduce errors.

ADVANTAGES
They are simple,
robust and inexpensive.
Their accuracy is
between +or- 2% to 5%
of the scale.
They can with stand
50% over range in
temperatures.

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.