RC01

RADIATION / CONVECTION
(RADCON) HEAT FLUX SENSOR

ON NICKEL HEAT SINK WITH

AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE
SENSOR

RC01 manual v1004

Edited & Copyright by:

Hukseflux Thermal Sensors

http://www.hukseflux.com
e-mail: info@hukseflux.com
Hukseflux Thermal Sensors

Warning and safety issues:

Using RC01 always involves the risk of

overheating.
Maximum heating time and maximum
heat flux exposure have to be
determined by the user.
Overexposure is an operational risk
which is not covered by any warranty.

During measurement RC01 will

become heated: the user typically
should remove RC01 from an oven
environment using suitable gloves.

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Contents
List of symbols 4
Introduction 5
1 RC01 wiring schedule 8
2 Specifications of RC01 9
3 Signal interpretation 10
3.1 Heat flux calculation 10
3.2 Maximum allowable total heat flux 11
3.3 Maximum measurement time 11
3.4 Measuring the convective transfer coefficient 12
3.5 Measuring radiation source temperature 12
4 Trouble shooting 13

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List of symbols
Heat flux  kW/m2
Voltage output U mV
heat flux sensor sensitivity (factory value) Esen mV/
kW.m-2
Time t s
Transfer coefficient by conduction/convection Ctr W/m2K
Stefan-Boltzmann constant  W/m2K4
Emissivity  -
Temperature T K
Temperature dependence of sensitivity TD %/K
Thermal resistance Rt m2K/W

Subscripts

Property of thermopile sensor sen

Property of air air
Property of the radiation source source
Convective convection
Radiative radiation
Total total

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Introduction

Figure 0.1 RC01 Black sensor for total heat flux, gold sensor for
convective heat flux, thermocouple sticking out for ambient air
temperature measurement.

In general the RC01 sensor is a heat flux and temperature

sensor for study of radiation, convection, and heat transfer in
ovens, furnaces, baking and drying processes. The measurement
result is often used as a characterisation of a “fingerprint” of
oven settings, making it possible to compare or reproduce oven
settings.

RC01 employs two heat flux sensors, the one covered by a gold
reflector (only sensitive to convective transfer), the other by a
black absorber (sensitive to radiative as well as convective
transfer). A temperature sensor is integrated below the reflector.
The sensor is delivered built into special heat sink, made of
nickel plated copper.

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RC01 is supplied with an external temperature sensor to

determine the surrounding air temperature. By measuring the
heat fluxes, sensor temperature and surrounding air temperature
one is able to determine the local (convective) heat transfer
coefficient and well as the “radiation” temperature of the
environment.

Suggested use of RC01 is:

Drying kilns, baking ovens
Continuous belt dryers

More information / options

Alternative designs: Hukseflux is specialised in heat flux sensor
design, and can offer sensors with modified dimensions and
specifications.

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2. 3.

10

1. 4.

22
3

Figure 0.2 A closer look at the sensor: RC01 dimensions.

(22x10x3 mm)
1 convective heat
2 radiative heat
3 heat flux sensor with black absorber (emission around 0.85),
which measures convective plus radiative heat.
4 temperature sensor (to measure sensor temperature)
5 heat flux sensor with gold reflector (emission depending on
radiation spectrum, emission coefficient in the infra-red smaller
than 0.05), which measures convective heat only.
1., 2. wiring of absorbent heat flux sensor
3., 4. wiring of reflective heat flux sensor
5., 6. wiring of type K thermocouple
The ambient air temperature sensor is not included in the
picture.

Dimensions of RC01, including the heat sink are 65x65x13 mm.

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1 RC01 wiring schedule

Wiring + Wiring Marker

Heat flux black black Red None
Heat flux gold white Red None
Sensor Red / yellow yellow Grey
temperature
Ambient air Red / yellow yellow None
temperature
Table 1.1 RC01 wiring schedule

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2 Specifications of RC01
The RC01 is a heat flux and temperature sensor on nickel heat
sink with ambient air temperature sensor. It is used for study of
radiation, convection, and heat transfer in ovens, furnaces,
baking and drying processes. It can only be used in combination
with a suitable measurement system.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Heat flux 1 black (absorber  = 0.83) total heatflux
Measurement 1 gold (reflective  = 0, NOTE: in Infra-
red only) convective heat flux.
Temperature 1 sensor temperature
measurement 1 ambient air temperature
Suitable Oven environments, however with a short
environments measurement duration. The measurement
duration depends on the local heat flux
levels.
Deduced parameters Air temperature, convective and radiative
heat flux, heat transfer coefficient, source
temperature, local air speed
CE requirements RC01 complies with CE directives
MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS
SENSOR SPECIFICATIONS
Expected accuracy within +/- 10 % for total heat flux
Thermocouples Type K
Heat flux sensor 700 ohms (nominal)
resistance
Sensitivity Esen 3 mV/kWm-2 (nominal value)

Temperature -0.06 %/°C

dependence
Thermal resistance 5 10-4 m2K/W (heat flux sensor)
63% response time 1.5 s (nominal value) (1/e)
Temperature range 0 to +250 °C
Required readout: 2 diff voltage channels for heat flux
2 thermocouple channels
Cable length 2 meters
Weight incl. 2m cable 0.6 kg
Dimensions 65x65x13 mm
CALIBRATION
Calibration NIST,
traceability reference temperature 20 degrees C
Recalibration interval Every 2 years
Table 2.1 List of RC01 specifications.

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3 Signal interpretation

3.1 Heat flux calculation

As a first approximation, the heat flux is expressed as:

 = Usen / Esen 3.1.1

Also there is a temperature dependence TD reflects the fact that

the sensitivity changes with temperature:

Esen = E sen, cal (1+TD (Tsen – Tref )) 3.1.2

 = Usen /((1+TD (T- Tref)) Esen ) 3.1.3

or with TD = -0.0006 and Tref = 20 degrees C

 = Usen /((1-0.0006 (T- 20)) Esen ) 3.1.4

With Esen , the sensor sensitivity, Usen the sensor output in mV,
TD the temperature dependence in %/K, Tref a reference
temperature at which the initial calibration has been performed
and  the heat flux in kW/m2. Esen, Tref, as well as TD are given
in the RC01 calibration certificate.

black sensor: total

gold sensor: convection

radiation = (total - convection) / 0.83 3.1.5

With the emission coefficient 0.83 for the black sensor.

The minimum detectable heat flux is a function of electronics
accuracy and sensitivity. With a typical electronics accuracy of 10
microvolts, the minimum flux level that can be detected is 5
W/m2.

Apart from heat flux, also a sensor-temperature and an ambient

air temperature measurement are performed using RC01. These
are normal type K thermocouple measurements.

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3.2 Maximum allowable total heat flux

The determining factor in the maximum allowable total heat flux

is the sensor temperature.
The critical factor is that the sensor surface should remain below
250 degrees C. The sensor with maximum exposure is the black
sensor.
Assuming Rt equals about 5.10-4 m2K/W

 = Usen /((1+TD.(T- Tref)). Esen ) 3.2.1

Tsen, max, surface = 250 = Tsen + max, total Rt 3.2.2

max, total = (250 - Tsen ) / 5.10-4 3.2.3

3.3 Maximum measurement time

After a certain period the temperature of the RC01 will be the

same as the surroundings. If this occurs, one is not able to
measure anything.

The maximum measuring time is determined by:

 heat capacity of the heat sink
 emission coefficient of the heat sink
 temperature of radiation sources
 temperature of the surroundings
 heat transfer coefficient (air flow)

The maximum measurement time has to be determined

experimentally for each oven type.

The standard RC01 has a max. measuring time of about 30

minutes @200 °C and h = 50 W/m2/K

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3.4 Measuring the convective transfer coefficient

Calculate the convective heat transfer coefficient of the air by:

Ctr =  convection / ( Tair - Tsen ) 3.4.1

The heat transfer coefficient depends on:

 air flow
 shape of the object
 geometry of the object
 medium properties

expected measured values are between 10 and 100 W/m2K.

3.5 Measuring radiation source temperature

The radiation source temperature can be calculated from:

radiative =   ( T4source - T4sen ) 3.5.1

Tsource = ( T4sen + radiative /   )1/4 3.5.2

With  the emissivity 1 for infra-red radiation.

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4 Trouble shooting
This paragraph contains information that can be used to make a
diagnosis whenever the sensor does not function.

The heat Measure the impedance across the sensor wires. This should be
flux sensor around 600 to 900 ohms plus cable resistance (typically 0.1
does not ohm/m). If it is closer to zero there is a short circuit (check the
give any wiring). If it is infinite, there is a broken contact (check the
signal wiring). This check can be done even when the sensor is
installed (please ensure in this case to perform the
measurement with two polarities and taking the average value).
Check if the sensor reacts to an enforced heat flux. In order
enforce a flux, it is suggested to touch the sensor with your
finger.
Check the data acquisition by applying a mV source to it in the
1 mV range.
The thermo Measure the impedance across the thermocouple wires. This
couple does should be around 100 ohm for one meter tc wire. Please check
not give the number of meters that you have. If it is closer to zero there
right is a short circuit (check the wiring). If it is infinite, there is a
signals broken contact (check the wiring). This check can be done even
when the sensor is installed (please ensure in this case to
perform the measurement with two polarities and taking the
average value).
The sensor Check if the right calibration factor is entered into the
signal is un algorithm. Please note that each sensor has its own individual
realistically calibration factor.
high or Check the readout of the thermocouple.
low. Check if the voltage reading is divided by the calibration factor
by review of the algorithm.
Check if the mounting of the sensor still is in good order.
Check the condition of the leads at the logger.
Check the cabling condition looking for cable breaks.
Check the range of the data logger; heat flux can be negative
(this could be out of range) or the amplitude could be out of
range.
Check the data acquisition by applying a mV source to it in the
1 mV range.
Check the algorithm for wrong temperature corrections.
The sensor Check the presence of strong sources of electromagnetic
signal radiation (radar, radio etc.)
shows Check the condition of the shielding.
unexpected Check the condition of the sensor cable.
variations

Table 3.6.1 Trouble shooting for RC01.

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Figure 3.6.1 RC01 opened for servicing. The plate at the back
can be removed for servicing, such as replacement of cabling.

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