CHAPTER 1-3

TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENT
 Objectives
After finishing this lesson, you should be able to:
• Define the term Temperature
• Convert among units of Temperature
• Identify the different Categories of
Temperature Device
• State the importance of Thermo-wells in
Temperature Device
• Apply the Principle and Operation of
Temperature Device (RTD. TC, Filled-
System, Bimetallic)
 Overview
• Introduction
• Measurement Unit
• Thermowells
• Temperature Measurement Devices &
Safety
 Introduction
• Temperature is a physical property of
Matter that quantitatively expresses
the common notions of hot and cold.
• Most widely used since 17th century by
Galileo Galilei
• Technology is continuously improved
• Typical assembly consists of a Thermo-
well, Temperature Element, extension,
Temperature Transmitter
 Measurement Unit
• Common: Fahrenheit & Celsius
• F, C & K recognized Internationally
• F & C developed from 2 fixed points: Ice
& Steam at Atmospheric Pressure
• Conversion

 9
 F   C   C  K  273.15
 5
 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, with 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
800F (Iron) - 2300F
(Inconel)
- Ceramic: max varies from
1900F (Fused Silica) -
3000F (Silicon Carbide)
Temperature Sensor Mount
 TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENT DEVICES
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT DEVICES

• Resistance Temperature
Detector (RTD)
• Thermocouple (TC)
• Filled Systems
• Bimetallic
 Resistance Temperature
Detector (RTD)
Principles
• Every Metal – unique Composition & has a
different Resistance towards flow of
Electrical Current
• Most Metal - changes in Electrical
Resistance directly proportional to change
in Temperature; LINEAR.
• It is also called Temperature co-efficient
of Electrical Resistance (TCR)
• RTD is regarded high precision Wire
wound Resistor; Resistance varies with
Temperature
• By measuring Resistance, Temperature
can be measured (Indirect Temperature
Measurement)
RTD
Constructions Of RTD
• PURE Metals (Platinum, Nickel, Copper)
• Typical Probe contains a Coil of very fine
Metal Wire; allowing LARGE Resistance
change without great space requirement
• Common type: Platinum RTD - accuracy &
linearity
• Accurate Sensor - can measure
temperature change up to 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
protect the Element
• Assembly may be terminated with Lead
Wires/may supply with an appropriate
Terminal Block similar to Thermo Couple
assembly
RTD Operations

• To detect small variations of Resistance,

Temperature Transmitter in form of
Wheatstone Bridge is used
• The circuit compared RTD value with 3
known & highly accurate Resistors
• Wheatstone Bridge; 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 installed 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 this 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 (fraction in sec)
compared Thermocouple
• More sensitive & more linear than Thermo
Couple
• No experience with drift problems because
not being self-powered
• Not require special Extension Cable
• Radioactive Radiation has MINIMUM
effect
RTD Disadvantages

• More expensive (purest Metal)

• Incapable measuring as wide Temp Range
as Thermo Couple
• Any case of Power Supply failure, cause
erroneous reading
• Small changes in Resistance (Vibration, not
tight, Corrosion) – create Error
• Resistance Curve varies among
Manufacturer
• Accuracy & Service Life are limited at High
Temperature

• Application/Usage:
• RTD can be found in Reactor Area
Temperature Measurement & Fuel channel
Coolant Temperature
 Thermocouple
Principles

• This is the device that produce a Temperature-

Dependant Voltage as a result of Seebek
Effect.
• Seebek Effect refers to development of
Electromotive Force ( EMF ) across TWO
points of an Electrically Conducting Material
when there is Temperature Difference
between TWO Measurement Points.
• Consist of 2 pieces dissimilar Metals with their
ends joined together (twisting, soldering,
welding)
 Thermocouple
Principles

• When Heat is applied, Voltage (mV) is

generated.
• The joined piece produce a Thermal
Electromotive Force (emf) when junctions
at different Temperature.
• Thermo Couple is Self-powered
• Typical Response Time of bare TC
(0.2 -12s)
Constructions
• Thermo Couple Wires are manufactured to
close tolerances & tend to be expensive
• Their limitation is the Probe itself
• Thermo Couple Extension wires, used as a
link between itself & Measuring
Device/Transducer
Thermocouple
• 3 basic types of Thermo Couple
construction
Ceramic Beaded
Insulated (Plastic, Glass, Ceramic Fiber)
Metal-sheathed Mineral-insulated
(MSMI); extruded (sheath – Stainless
Steel/Inconel & Mineral – Al2O3/MgO)
• Thermo Couple 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
• Thermo Couple may be Spring-loaded, so
the Tip & Well Surface remain in contact to
ensure good Heat Transfer
• If exposed, the faster response is obtained,
but the Wires are totally unprotected
• When Thermo Couple get THINNER:
the recommended upper Temperature
Limit is reduced
the Error decreases & the response is
faster to Temperature changes
the Element becomes MORE fragile
at High Temperature, Accuracy is MORE
sensitive towards Material itself (Wire
impurities)
Operations
Thermo Couple: 2 junctions for measuring.

Hot Junction
• The end is inserted in the Medium to measure
its Temperature

Cold Junction
• The other end is 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
Temperature, one end
contact with Process,
other end kept at
constant Temperature
• Emf Thermocouple
increases when the
difference in Junction
Temperature increases
• Relationship between Total Circuit Voltage
(emf) & Voltage (emf) at the Junction is:

Circuit emf = Measurement emf – Reference emf

• If Circuit emf & Reference emf are known,

Measurement can be calculated
• Convert to 4-20 mA Signal, Temperature
Transmitter is needed
• The Temperature Measurement Circuit consists a Thermo
Couple connected directly to Temperature Transmitter.
• Hot & Cold Junction can be located wherever required to
measure Temperature Difference
• Need monitor the Temperature 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 Thermo Couple

• Copper–Constantan (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 also an Alloy contains 95 %
Nickel plus Aluminum and Silicon with
Manganese
- Chromel – Alumel Thermo Couple must
be used in Oxidizing / Neutral
Atmospheres
• Chromel – Constantan (Type E)

- Chromel (+ve) Element & Constantan

(-ve) Element
- HIGHEST emf per Degree change of
Temperature of any commonly used
Thermo Couple
- Suitable for Oxidizing Atmospheres & not
corrode at Sub-Freezing Temperature
- 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 Sub-Freezing Temperature
Measurement.
o Can be furnished Higher Degree of
Accuracy for Temperature between -270 &
+400oC than any other commonly used
Thermo Couple
o Can be applied in either Oxidizing
/Reducing Atmospheres between stated
Temperature
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 using 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
Thermo Couple located some distance
away from the Measuring Device,
expensive Extension Wires / compensating
Cables have to be used.
Thermo Couple are not used in areas
where high Radiation Fields are present.
Generate Non-linear Output & Low
Voltage
Require a Reference Junction
Has a Low Sensitivity
Limited in Accuracy
Need Type-matching Extension Wires
Slower Response than RTD
Susceptible to stray Electrical Signal
 Filled-Systems
Principles
• Metallic assembly consists
of a Bulb, small-diameter
Tubing (Capillary) &
Bourdon Spring
• Indicator linked to
Bourdon Tube indicates
Temperature reading
• Sometimes Bellows &
Diaphragm are used
• System filled with a Liquid/
Gas that expands & contract
as the Temperature is sensed
at the Bulb is increased &
decreased
• Expansion/contraction
translated to Mechanical
Motion
• Liquid causes Volume
changes & Gas causes
Pressure changes
• This device generally used
for Local indication
Different Type Of Filled-systems
Operations
• An improvement
Liquid–in-Glass
type Thermometer
• Need NO Power to
function, simple,
rugged, self-
contained, accurate
over narrow
Temperature Span
 Disadvantages
• Bulb may be too large for existing
application & on System Failure, the whole
system MUST be replaced
• Capillary Tubing is limited to a distance of
250 ft
• Slow to respond & relatively expensive
• Susceptible to Ambient Temperature
changes around the Capillary & Ambient
Temperature compensation is often
required
 Important Points
• Occasional checking & testing required to
maintain Accuracy
• Capillary Tubing should be continuously
supported & protected against damage
• Capillary’s Construction Material should be
compatible with the Surrounding
Environment
• Bulb must be immersed sufficiently to
ensure that the Actual Temperature is being
measured
Vapor Liquid
 Bimetallic
Principles

• A Spiral made of TWO DIFFERRENT

Metals, having DIFFERENT Coefficient of
Expansion; expands as the Temperature
increase
• Movement by expansion drives an
Indicator on a Scale
• Industrial Bimetallic use a Helical Coil to fit
inside a Stem
• Most
Temperature
Switches operate
on this principle;
but guides
provide min of
Friction for the
moving
Component
Operations

• Generally used in Local Temperature Gages

& Switches
• To facilitate reading – “all-angle” types
usually are selected with 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 Temperature Device,
low accuracy & provides NO remote
indication
• To calibrate; must be immersed in a Bath of
KNOWN Temperature
 DISADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES

 They are NOT  They are simple,

recommended for robust and inexpensive.
Temperature ABOVE  Their accuracy is
4000C. between +or- 2% to 5%
 When regularly used, of the Scale.
the Bimetallic may  They can with stand
permanently deform, 50% OVER RANGE in
which in turn will Temperatures.
introduce errors.
 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, Thermo Couple &
Bulb Systems are placed in Thermo-well.
• Thermo-well protects the Measuring Device from
Corrosive and Erosive Effect of Measured
Medium.
• Bare Thermo Couple is installed to increase
Measurement Speed and Sensitivity.
• Primary Temperature Measuring Devices can be
connected to Indicator, Recorder & Controller.