Experiment No.

Dynamic response of thermometer [1st order system]

Aim: To study Dynamic response of thermometer consisting of cold water bath, hot water
bath, temperature indicator, stopwatch and thermometer, etc.

Theory: First order system is characterized by –

1. Their capacity to store material energy and momentum

2. Their resistance associated with the flow mass energy and momentum in reaching the
capacity thus the dynamic response to tanks that have the capacity to store the liquid and
gases can be moderated as 1st order.

The resistance associated with pumps, valves, weirs and pipes which are attached
to inflowing or outflowing liquid or gases. Similarly, the temperature response of solid,
liquid or gaseous system which can be stored thermal energy is modelled as 1st order. For
such a system the resistance is associated with transfer of heat through a wall, liquid or
gases. A process that possesses capacity to store mass or outflowing streams and will be
modelled as the 1st order system.

 Response of 1st order system-

Mercury thermometer –

1. Consider the thermometer to be located in flowing stream of fluid for which the
temperature varies with time.

2. To calculate the response or time variation of the thermometer regarding ‘Y’ for
particular change in ‘X’.

Assumptions –

1. All resistance to heat transfer resides the film surrounding the bulb.

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2. The glass wall containing the mercury does not expand and contract during the transient
response.

3. All the thermal capacity is in the mercury and further we assume that at any instant
mercury has uniform temperature. It is also assumed that the thermometer initially is at
steady state before time zero, there is no change with time.

4. At time zero, the thermometer will be subjected to same change in the surrounding
temperature.

Fig. 1 Cross sectional view of thermometer

By applying the unsteady state balance-

Input rate – Output rate = Accumulation rate

dy
hA[ x  y ]  0  mC p .
dx
Where, A = Surface area of bulb for heat transfer.

Cp = Heat capacity.

m = Mass of Hg in bulb.

t = Time in hour.

h = Film transfer coefficient of heat transfer. [Btu/hr.ft2]

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The equation states that rate of flow of heat through the given film resistance surrounding
the bulb causes the energy of the mercury to increase at same rate. The change in internal
energy will be offering change in temperature and corresponding expansion of mercury
which causes Hg column of the thermometer to rise.

The coefficient ‘b’ will depend on properties of the surrounding fluid and
dimensions of bulb. Assuming ‘b’ is constant for particular thermometer installation.
Equation obtained is 1st order, differential equation.

Before solving those equation with LT duration variables must be introduced.

Before any change ‘X’ the thermometer is at steady state and the derivative dy/dx is zero
for steady state.

hA[ xs  ys ]  0  t  0
d [ y  ys ]
hA{[ x  xs ]  [ y  ys ]}  m.C p .
dt

Duration variables-/ (Deviation Variable)

1. It will eliminate initial variable condition

2. Engineering can concerned with duration of it.

When variables from its steady state values-

X  x  xs , Y  y  y s
dY
 hA[ X  Y ]  m.C p .
dt
m.C p dY
[X  Y]  .
hA dt
mC p
Let ,  
hA
 X (s)  Y( s )   ( s ) .Y( s )
Y( s ) 1
 
X (s) s 1

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Observation table – Cold to Hot

𝒚(𝒕) 1
Sr.No. Time (sec) Temp. (0c) y(t) y(t)/A −𝐥𝐧⁡[𝟏 − ]
𝑨 

Sample Calculations :

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Procedure –

1. Fill cold water and hot water in appropriate amount.

2. Switch ON water heater to heat water till boiling point ‘pt A’. 100 sensors within an
indicator is provided to indicate temperature of heated bath.

3. Measure and record ambient temperature with thermometer.

4. Insert thermometer in hot water bath, record the temperature after steady state is
reached.

5. Remove the thermometer from hot water and insert it in cold water immediately. Record
fall in temperature as an interval of 5 second until steady state is obtained.

6. Repeat the procedure by inserting the thermometer from cold water to hot water.

7. PIA graph for thermometer reading to calculate time constant.

Result –

Time constant for hot to cold = ___

Time constant for cold to hot = ___

Conclusion-

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Observation table- Hot to cold -

𝒚(𝒕) 1
Sr.No. Time (sec) Temp. (0c) y(t) y(t)/A −𝐥𝐧⁡[𝟏 − ]
𝑨 

Calculations –

1
Slope of graph 1 (Cold to Hot) = =______


1
Slope of graph 2 (Hot to Cold) = =______


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