DISA Correcting Hot-wire Readings for Influence of Fluid Temperature Variations G. Kanevee and S. Oka* SUMMARY Analytical expressions forthe correction of hot-wire readings for varying ambient uid temperature cannot be employed at low velocities, where the heat loss From the sensor to its prongs makes a considerable contribu tion tothe total amount of heat transferred fom the seasor. This paper describes an empirical expression that is valid at low ‘velocities. The range over which the corre: tion is valid is dependent on probe design and on the temperature rang in which calibration {s artied out. The compatibility of the em- pirial low-velocity correction and an ana- Iytical correction over a wide temperature range is demonstrate, ‘ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Deiniedrigen GesshwindigkeitenKinnensina- Iytsche Ausdrcke fUr die Korrektion des infuses schwanksnder Mediumstempers tur bei Hitdrahtmessungen nicht benutzt werden, a dort der Wirmetberzang vom FFbler 2u den Fahlersptzen einen betricht lichen Anteil der Gesamtmenge der vom Fuller abgoeiteten Warme ausmacht Dieser ‘Artikel beschreib cinen empirischen Aus- deuek, der bet niedrigen Geschwindigketen gilt: Der Gatigheitsbereich fur dese Korrek- com tion ist abhingig vom Sondenaufbau und vom Temperaturbereich in dem di Eichung fusgefthrt wutde. Die Kompatbilitit dee fempirischen Korrektion im Bereich nidriger de ‘Geschwindigeiten und einer analytischen SOMMAIRE, Les expressions analytiques pour la corre- tion des mesures fl chaud nécessites par les variations de température ambiante des fMuides ne peuvent pas dire utilisées aux basses vitesses la pete thermique du capteur 4 fourche,contribuant de fagon considé- fable bla quantité totale de chaleur tans Fete parle capteur. Une expression empiri «que, valable aux bases viteses, ext presente dans cet article. La plage de valiité de la ton dépend dela forme de Ia sonde et de plage de température pour laquelle Tetalonnage a 6 effect. La compatiili de la correction empirique basse vtese et correction analytique dans le cas dune plage de température étendue est démontre. Korrektion ber einen weiten Temperatur bereich wird demonstrcrt, 1. Introduction In experiments in which we have to measure the velocity field using @ hot-wire anemometer itis very dificult to maintain @ fluid temperature constant and equal to the temperature at which calibration was carried out, Calibration of the hot-wire probe at many diferent tempera tures, in the temperature range which may occur in the ex- periment, takes considerable time. Such calibration curves, ‘obtained for several different Muid temperatures, and the ‘method of graphical interpolation were satisfactory when only the graphical interpretation ofthe calibration curve was used. Calculation of the experimental results on digital computers requires an analytical interpretation of the hot-wire probe calibration curve [1], [2], [3], [4] and also an analytical interpretation of the influence of uid temperature on the readings, ie. on the calibration curve. * Boris Kirich Institute, Vincha, Beograd, Yugoslavia, Thermal Physics and Eagincering Department “Manuscript Received March 1973 ‘An analytical interpretation ofthe ud temperature influence ‘on hot-wire readings offers the possibilty of using a caibra- tion curve obtained for only one temperature (nominal) in ‘determination of velocity measured at another Nuid tempera tue, 2. Existing Method of Correcting Hot-wire Readings for Fluid ‘Temperature Influence ‘The calibration curves obtained for different fluid tempera- tures and given in the usual form BAB oy obviously differ markedly from each other (Fig. ‘The heat balance equation for a hot-wire with constant tem- ae YR, =(T,—Th 2 aOr 0204 de L020 ~——=a0 40-8010 Fig. 1. Calibration curves obtained at different fd temperatures. shows that for the same flow and geometrical conditions the voltage drop across the hot-wire depends on the uid tem- perature T in two different ways: explicitly and implicitly, through the change ofthe overall heat loss coflicienth (which ‘expresses the convection of heat 0 the fluid and conduction of heat to the prongs), {In order to use the calibration curve of one fluid temperature T, for the determination of velocity measured at another ‘uid temperature TT, it is necessary to correct the hot- wire readings obtained for temperature T. Inthe ease of small temperature changes (30°-40°C around a certain nominal temperature), the changes in the Prandt ‘number, the ratio T,/T (or viscosity) and heat conductivity can be neglected, and from the correlation Nu= FiRe, Pr, T/T) the beat transfer cocficient is also unchanged for the same velocity and hot-wire diameter. Also, heat losses by conduction to the prongs are approximately the same. Under these conditions (h = const) we obtain from expression {@) the correction of hot-wire readings for the change of uid temperature EI=E(T, —T)(T%—1) % By using linear dependence of electrical resistance on tem- perature: R=R(l—aT-T,)) ” correction (3) can be obtained in the most useful form [4]. EE= EAR, —RYR.—R) © 43. Validity Range of Correction (5) and the New Correction for Low Velocities the correction (5) is valid forall velocities, all the results of the calibration of one hot-wire probe, obtained for different fluid temperatures, have to fall on the curve: EI E=f(0) 6 Fig. 2. Relationship between wire resistance and fd temperature. In order to check the validity ofthe correction (5) calibration of the constant temperature hot-wire anemometer probe was ‘carried out, Dimensionally, the probe under calibration was similar to the standard- DISA miniature probe (d= 51, L=1,34 mm), The prongs were almost parallel to the flow direction over a length of 7 mm. Each prong has two con- ‘nections for elimination of the influence of parasitic resistances ‘in measurements with the Miller-bridge. Calibration was car- ried out in air for several constant Muid temperatures in the range 5° to 30°C. The velocity range was 0.1-11 m/s. The calibration was carried out in a specially constructed ealibra- tion unit for small velocities [5]. Fluid temperature and velocity were measured at the same point, by using « hot-wire probe as a resistance thermometer [4]. The electric resistance of the wire was measured with a Miller-bridge having an error of + 0.0008. “The dependence of the electric resistance of the wire on tem- perature was determined by measurements in a thermostat (C=O) In the range 0° to 60°C this dependence was linear Fig. 2), Since a nominal T,=22.5°C was chosen, the wire resistance at this temperature was R, = 58243 0. The working resistance ‘of the wire was always set at R,, = 108 Q. ‘The nominal hot-wire voltage drop E, (including Eo for 0), obtained by using correction (5, is shown on Fig. 3 for different velocities. I is easily seen thatthe correction (5) is not valid for velocities less than 25 m/s. For U=0.14 m/s and a temperature range of 15°C around the nominal temperature, the relative error in velocity is 4% when using the nominal calibration curve, [At low velocities the conduction of heat to the prongs makes ‘greater contribution to the overall amount of heat trans- ferred from the hot-wite, Asa consequence, heat losses are no longer dependent on the temperature difference only, but also on the change of the coeicient hi. Determination ofthe analytical expression for the correctionor 02 eset Pe ee ee eer SST Fig. 3. Calibration curves obtained by applying analytical corree- tions (5) of this influence is very difficult. We therefore tried to obtain ‘an approximate empirical expression. [An approximate empirical expression was obtained by analys- ing the results plotted in Fig. 3, for the fow velocities. The values £2 were plotted for a constant air velocity, dependent ‘on fluid temperature (ic resistance R) in Fig. 4 In the temperature range under consideration, linear depen- dence of E2 on R can be assumed. For U <046 m/s the family, fof straight lines intersect at the point (R, Elo.) For (T>06 m/s the lines are parallel to the axis R* ‘The equation for the family of straight lines for <0.6 m/s (including U = 0) is: EI —Elo= aR-R,) 0 Introducing E, from (5), this is: FAR, — RMR. Ry)—Eos= AR-R,) 8) Equation (8 is valid for the nominal temperature, to: (RR) ” By climinating “a” from (8) and (9), we obtain the empirical expression for the correction, with only one empirical constant Es) Ex. (10) valid for 0-< 7 <06 mss. Using correction (5) for J'20.6 m/s and correction (10) for 0. U <06-mjs, the results of the calibration are now plotted in Fig. 5. The values obtained for Ei — Ely are scattered around the nominal calibration curve with the same error as in calibration at one temperature. * The dependence of (£3 ~ E%) on the Mid temperature up 10 4 ‘velocity of 25 mys (Fig. 3s the consequence of the fact that correc: tion (3) snot valid for Eg Fig. 4, Nominal voltage Es. uid temp at cferent velocities re (., resistance R) 4. Use of the Calibration Curve for Nominal Temperature By correcting hot-wire anemometer readings at a certain ‘chosen nominal fluid temperature, it becomes possible to tuse only one calibration curve, obtained for this nominal temperature, during the experiment. When calibrating the probe itis only necessary to determine the range of validity of the correction (5, the empirical constant in correction (10) and the calibration curve for ‘nominal temperature, The range of validity of the correction (6) is dependent on the construction and dimensions of the probe and the fluid temperature range in which calibration is cartied out For a probe of the same nominal type and dimensions, the range of validity ofthe correction (5) has to be approximately the same. Thus, in measurements with probes of the same type, oF probes repaired alter hot-wire damage, it is only necessary to obtain one calibration curve, from which we ‘can determine the empirical constant Eyq in correction (10) In the experiment, we have to measure the working resistance ur a2 04 aosto “0 69 8010 Fig 5. Calibration curves obtained by applying analytical core tion () and empirical correction (10, 2B