MEC

322: CONTROL SYSTEMS

AND
INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 4
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

Prepared by: Mohd Ghazali Mohd Hamami.

(Faculty of Mechanical Engineering)
 OBJECTIVES & LEARNING OUTCOMES

1.  Acquire basic knowledge of temperature

measurement.
2.  Types of temperature scales standard.
3.  Method of temperature measurement &
temperature sensing techniques.
4.1 INTRODUCTION

1.  Temperature is most widely measured quantity in process
industry.
2.  In manufacturing, the product quality usually closely related
with accurate measured and maintained of temperature. If the
temperature is proper measured and maintained, the good
quality product will possible.
3.  It also related and the important parameter in the
thermodynamic and heat transfer operation like steam raising,
gas turbines in power generations and also in numerous
propulsion systems.

4.  The law that is used in temperature measurement is Zeroth law
of thermodynamic.

If two bodies are in thermal equilibrium

with a third body, then they are all in
thermal equilibrium with each other.



1st body 2nd body
5. Example: The thermometer is calibrated against a standard and
is subsequently used to read unknown temperatures.
3rd body
4.2 TEMPERATURE SCALES

1.  Common use temperature scales are: Fahrenheit and Celsius.
These scale are based on a specification of the number of
increment between freezing point and boiling point of water at
a standard atmospheric temperature.
2. Based on Carnot cycle:
T₁/T₂ = Q₁/Q₂

T₁,T₂ : Reservoir of heat (T₁ > T₂ )
Q₁,Q₂: Heat energy (Q₁ <-> Q₂)

3.  Kelvin an celsius scales are related by: T= t + 273.15

T: temperature in kelvin
t: temperature in celsius
4.3 Methods of Temperature measurement &
Temperature-Sensing Techniques
1. Temperature measurement method:
1. non-electrical method.
2. electrical method.
3. radiation method.

2. Temperature-sensing techniques are as follows:
A. Changes in physical dimensions (non electrical method)
.Liquid-in-glass thermometers.
.Bimetallic thermometers.
B. Changes in gas or vapor pressure (non electrical method)
.Constant-volume gas thermometers.
.Pressure thermometers.

 C. Changes in electrical properties (electrical method)
.Resistance thermometers.
.Thermistors.
.Thermocouples.
.Quartz Thermometer.
D. Semiconductor-junction technology (electrical method)
.Diodes.
.Integrated circuits.
E. Changes in emitted thermal radiation (radiation method)
.Total radiation pyrometers.
.Infrared pyrometer.
F. Changes in chemical phase (non-electrical method)
.Fusible indicators.
.Liquid crystal.
3. Thermocouples remain the main temperature sensor, which half
of industrial application.
4.3.1 Bimetallic Thermometer.
1.  Use the principle of solid expansion and consists of a ‘bimetal’
strip usually in the form of cantilever beam.

Bimetallic Thermometer

2. Comprises of two metals which having different coefficient of
thermal expansion, joint together (welded/riveted) to prevent
the relative motion between it.
3. Invar usually employed as the low expansion metal. Invar is an
iron-nikel alloy containing 36% nickel. It has coefficient of
thermal expansion around 1/20 of ordinary metal. Use for
measurement of high temperatures.

4. Brass is used as high expansion material for the measurement

of low temperatures.
5. 
Real world application: Thermostat in air conditioner.
6. 
Another type of bimetallic thermometer is a longer strip in
helical form.

7. Bimetallic thermometer usually function between -30 to 550°C.
8. Commonly apply in temperature control system, oven, electric
iron, and refrigerators.
9. Advantage: self generating type with low cost with no
maintenance.
Disadvantage: Inability to measure rapidly changing
temperatures.
4.3.2 Thermocouple

1.  A thermocouple is a temperature-measuring device consisting
of two dissimilar conductors that contact each other at one or
more spots.
2.  It produces a voltage when the temperature of one of the spot
differs from the reference temperature at other parts of the
circuit.
3.  Any junction of dissimilar metals will produce an electrical
potential related to temperature. Different alloys are used for
different temperature ranges.






4.  The choice of material for thermocouples need to be
considered below factors:
a. Ability to withstand the temperature at which they are used.
b. Immunity from corrosion.
c. Linearity characteristic.
5.  Thermocouple can be broadly classified in two categories:

Base metal thermocouples Rare metal thermocouples

Pure metal + alloy of iron/copper/nickel Pure metal + alloy of platinum/tungsten/
rhodium/molybdenum

Used for temperature up to 1450K Platinum up to 1600°C, others up to 3000°C

More sensitive, cheaper & nearly linear

characteristic

Lower operating range due to low melting

point & vulnerability to oxidation













6. For increase its sensivity, thermocouples may be attached in
series or parallel which known as thermopile.

7.  Advantages of TC sensor (page 287):

8.  Disadvantages of TC sensor (page 287):

9.  Thermocouple widely used as temperature measurement for

gas turbine exhaust, diesel engines and as flame sensors in
safety devices for gas-powered major appliances.

4.3.3 Quartz Thermometer

1.  Piezo-electric crystal (quartz) provides a highly accurate and
sensitive method of temperature measurement based on the
change in its resonant frequency which is directly proportional
to the temperature change.
2.  To archive above properties the crystal is cut in the form of
shear type LC (Linear coefficient) cut.
3.  The detection of change in frequency of oscillation of 1 Hz gives
a resolution of 0.001° C, thus temperature in the range of -40 to
230°C can be measured precisely and accurately.




quartz crystal oscillator
 Advantages (page 289) Limitations (page 289)

Highly linear output. Limited measuring range -40 to 230°C.

Long-term stability and reliability. Piezo-electric crystals have strong

cross-sensitivity for pressure changes if
they occur simultaneously in the
temperature measuring system.

High resolution of the order of

0.001°C.

Excellent repeatability in the

measuring range of -40 to 230°C.
 REFERENCES

1.  Nakra, B. C. (2009). Instrumentation Measurement and Analysis. New
Delhi, Tata McGraw-Hill.
2.  Alavala, C.R. (2009). Principles of Industrial Instrumentation and Control
System. Singapore, Cengage learning.