Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science

Department of Chemical Engineering

Course Number CHE 215

Course Title Process Measurements
Instructor Huu Doan
TA Masoume Ehsani

Lab Experiment #2: Optical and

Radiation Pyrometry

Section No. 1
Date Of Experiment January 28, 2022
Performed
Due Date February 4 , 2022

Name Student ID Signature*

Shahana Loganathan 501020861

Lamia Tabassum 501028017

Wardah Saqib 501032590

Introduction and Principle:

Chemical engineering related industries use the study of optical pyrometers and total radiation

pyrometers to measure temperatures where contact with the temperate body is not possible [2]. The

importance of this experiment is to understand the physical and functional operations of the

pyrometer. The ability to determine temperatures at varying voltages is important to deepen the

understanding of heat transfer and its uses in the real world. In addition to the theory of the

experiment, the mathematical aspects also contribute to application of theoretical concepts. For this

experiment, mathematical concepts such as total radiation intensity and the inverse square law will be

observed in detail.

Optical pyrometer:

An optical pyrometer is a non-contact temperature measurement device which functions based

on the brightness of an object and the brightness of a filament placed inside the optical pyrometer.

The optical pyrometer aids in determining high temperature objects which cannot be measured with

contact. This lab uses the optical pyrometer to target an incandescent light bulb whose tungsten

filament can be varied by adjusting the supply voltage. To obtain a photometric match between both

the target and its reference, brightness of filament is to be varied until it reaches the desired

brightness in the source [2,4]. A current will be regulated through the adjustment of the side knob on

the pyrometer. Once the brightness of the reference filament matches that of the target filaments, the

reference image of the filament is equivalent to that of the background colour in the pyrometer [1].

When this occurs, intensity of energy emitted from the target will be equal to that emitted from the

reference filament. By using the measured intensities, the temperature of the light bulb can be

determined. The temperature of the subject will then be on display for a digital readout. The ideal or

black body is taken into account in this experiment as the total energy emitted is directly proportional
to temperature at the fourth power. But, not all practical objects are black bodies and thus an emissive

constant correction must be applied to obtain true temperature.

Total radiation pyrometer

Most commonly used pyrometer, the total radiation pyrometer, functions through both

infrared and visible radiation to sense heat on an element which produces electric signals. The

radiation passes through a lens and is connected to a heat sensing element. The sensing detector may

be a thermopile (most commonly used), a thin thermistor flake, or a resistance thermometer. Voltage

produced by the element is proportional to the intensity of the radiation from the target, which

ultimately relates to target temperature.

The laws explored in this experiment are total radiation law and inverse square law.

Stefan-Boltzmann’s total radiation law determines the total radiant heat power emitted from a

surface, which is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature [4]. This law applies to

black bodies and surfaces which absorb radiation. The total radiation intensity can be represented

mathematically by:

If T(target) is much greater than T(surrounding), then the mathematical expression can be

changed to the following [1]:

 Figure 1 shows graphical representation of the Total Radiation Law.

The inverse square law describes the light intensity is inversely proportional to the distance

squared from the radiation source [1]. A graphical representation of the inverse square law is

represented in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows the graphical representation of the Inverse Square Law.

Overall, this experiment explores ways of determining filament temperatures of a light bulb

using an optical and total radiation pyrometer at various input voltages. Experimenters are to

familiarize themselves with the laboratory instruments used in the lab and obtain the ability to verify

stated mathematical laws. It is important to understand the usage of pyrometers and become familiar
with heat measurement instruments to enhance one’s understanding of process measurements in the

chemical engineering field.

Results and Calculations:

Verification of the Total Radiation Law

Table 1 shows the quantitative data for the total radiation law which is set at a distance of 22 cm.

Variac Current I Temperature Temperature Log I Log T (K)

Setting (μA) T (°C) T (K)

40 3.38 1487 1760 0.5289 3.2455

50 4.49 1583 1856 0.6522 3.2686

60 5.56 1680 1953 0.7451 3.2907

70 6.87 1773 2046 0.83696 3.3109

80 8.28 1867 2140 0.9180 3.3304

90 9.59 1942 2215 0.9818 3.3454

 Figure 3 shows the linear relationship between current and temperature in regards to the total

radiation law.

From Figure 3, the slope of the linear line that displays the relationship between the current

and temperature is 4.4817. These calculations can be found in the appendix.

−8
δ = 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑓𝑎𝑛 𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑧𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 5. 67 × 10

−8
𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔(5. 67 × 10 ) → 𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 16. 685

From the rearrangement and logarithmic calculation, it is clear that the slope must remain 4,

or in other words, the literature value of the slope is 4. In Figure 3, the slope is 4.48. The percentage

error is 12.04 %. The percentage error for the b value is 16.1 %. The percentage error is relatively

small so little deviation has occurred. This has assured that the data is precise. Overall, Figure 3

verifies that the data collected follows total radiation law.

Verification of the Inverse Square Law

Table 1 shows the quantitative observations for the verification of inverse square law such as distance

and current when the variac setting is at 90.

Distance d (cm) Current I (μA) 1

2 (
1
2 )
𝑑 𝑐𝑚

22 9.59 0.002066

25 7.96 0.0016

28 7.25 0.001276

31 6.78 0.001041

34 6.12 0.000865

37 5.49 0.0007305
 Figure 4 shows the linear relationship between current and temperature in regards to the total

radiation law.

From Figure 4, it is evident that the trendline is nearly a straight line which means that the

relationship between the current and the inverse of the distance squared is linear. Therefore, the

current is directly proportional to the inverse of distance squared. There are some deviations as

shown in Figure 4 not being completely linear. The reasons why there were deviations are discussed

in the discussion section of this report.

Discussions:

The two radiation laws relevant to this experiment: Total Radiation Law and Inverse Square

Law were calculated and observed in order to understand the use of a pyrometer. The total radiation

is used for continuous, non-contact measurement of the temperature of a target. The relationship

between the logarithmic function of current versus the logarithmic function of temperature was

plotted, the graph displayed a linear plot. While the ‘variac’ setting is increased by a factor of 10, the

total radiation pyrometer was set at a distance of 22 cm. The current and temperature were steadily

increasing. When the logarithm of both parameters are taken, the plot also steadily increases. To find

the total radiation law of this experiment, the line of best fit function was used in order to find the

slope. The slope of this relationship was 4.4817. The target temperature was much greater than the

value of the temperature of the surroundings by 12.04%. Using the ‘Stefan Boltsman constant

−8
(5. 67 × 10 ), the equation of the line in the form of y=mx+b was calculated. The b value was

found to be -16.685. This gave a difference of -2.679. The percent error of the b function was found

to be 16.1%. Although the percentage error for the y-intercept and slope is greater than the scientific

error, it is less than 20 percent and confirms the Stefan-Boltzmann constant. Since the percentage

error is relatively small with some deviation, the data is proven to be accurate since they abide by the

mathematical laws possessed.

For the Inverse Square Law plot, the current versus the inverse of the distance squared

displayed a slightly curved plot. The plot should yield a linear relationship, but this can be explained

by the sources of error. The law is verified as there are slight deviations to be accounted for in this

experiment. This can be explained as these pyrometers in particular are designed for measuring

thermal radiation in the visible spectrum. The temperature is measured based on the colour of visible
light they emit. Radiation pyrometers measure the temperature of an object from the radiation emitted

by the object. The variac setting was set at 90 while the distance was incremented by 3 cm. When the

distance was increased, the current began to decrease. Therefore, the intensity of radiation onto the

area is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the area and the point source. The

slope from plotting the line of best fit is y = 0.0003x - 0.0012. This results in a slope closer to 0.There

are a few deviations in the values as from the distance of 28 cm to 34 cm, the plot takes a dip. This

can be explained by the distance being inversely proportional to the current. The radiation pyrometer

at a distance from the light bulb detects a weaker current as the distance is increased. Although the

plot is not 100% straight, the law can still be verified despite few outliers in the data provided.

This experiment was conducted to minimize any deviations from obtaining the results, but

there are sources of errors to take into account. The effect of the sources of error can be found by

analyzing the graphs. The optical pyrometer is a relatively precise instrument as there is room for

human error. The light emitted from the pyrometer is mainly observed by the human eye. This

pyrometer especially depends on the intensity of the light emitted by the sample being tested for

discrete measurement of temperature. It is a photometric matching between radiation of the target

source and standard reference lamp. Moreover, environmental errors such as stability of the ground,

dust, smoke and thermal background radiation etc, contribute to the inaccuracy. The radiation

pyrometer is used for continuous measurements of temperature. Radiation is concentrated on a heat

sensing element to produce an electrical signal proportional to intensity. The electrical signal is

converted into current. Both operate on the principle that the thermal radiation emitted from the

object is a function of its temperature. The radiation pyrometer is complex in nature because it has a

non-linear scale. There are possible errors due to the pressure intervening when radiation is absorbed.

The emissivity of the target material can also affect the significant digits since it was obtained to its
hundredths place. If the significant digits were rounded to its thousandths place, we would have

obtained an even more accurate result. Considering the systematic, environmental, and random

errors; the deviation from the data collected is justified. Thus, the data and results obtained verifies

both laws: total radiation and inverse square law.

Conclusion:

In this experiment, the pyrometer was used to determine the mathematical and graphical

relationships between the current and temperature as well as the current and the reciprocal of the

distance squared. In the first part of the experiment, the logarithmic values for current and

temperature were taken to observe a linear line. The slope of the graph (Figure 3) and the literature

slope of 4 are relatively close in value, verifying the total radiation law. In the second part of the

experiment, the current values and the inverse of the distance squared values were taken to give a

semi-linear line. It was not completely linear because there were some deviations; however, the data

is accurate, verifying the inverse square law. Furthermore, there are deviations in the data which are

results of systematic errors such as the limitation of the pyrometer, random error, and environmental

error such as temperature of the surroundings. In a broad view, the data and graphs were mostly

accurate and precise due to the fact that the percentage errors are less than 20 % and the R squared

value was extremely close to 1, indicating that the data points are in close proximity to one another.
References

[1] Process Measurements Laboratory Manual. Ryerson University, Toronto, CA, 2022, pp. 8-13.

[2] Elsevier B.V. , “Radiation Pyrometer”, Science Direct, 2022. [Online]. Available:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/radiation-pyrometer#:~:text=1.2.&text=Ra

diation%20pyrometers%20are%20usually%20used,is%20the%20disappearing%20filament%

20type.&text=With%20the%20screen%20in%20place,scale%20of%20temperatures%20is%2

0provided.

[3] Circuit Globe, “Optical Pyrometer”, Circuit Globe, 2022. [Online]. Available:

https://circuitglobe.com/optical-pyrometer.html#:~:text=Definition%3A%20The%20optical%

20pyrometer%20is,is%20placed%20inside%20the%20pyrometer.&text=Hence%20the%20

non%2Dcontact%20parameter%20is%20used%20for%20

measuring%20their%20temperature.

[4] Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia, "Stefan-Boltzmann law". Encyclopedia Britannica,

29-Jul. 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.britannica.com/science/Stefan-Boltzmann-law

[5] Daedalon Corporation, “12 - Stephan’s Law for Black Body Radiation”, Daedalon Corporation,

Jul. 1998. [Online]. Available:

http://sites.iiserpune.ac.in/~bhasbapat/phy221_files/StephansLaw.pdf

[6] Polytechnic Hub, “Advantages and Disadvantages of Optical Pyrometer”, Technical Editor,
 17-Jul. 2017. [Online]. Available:

https://www.polytechnichub.com/advantages-disadvantages-optical-pyrometer/

[7] Polytechnic Hub, “Advantages, Disadvantages and Applications of Radiation Pyrometer”,

Technical Editor, 15-Jul. 2017. [Online]. Available:

https://www.polytechnichub.com/advantages-disadvantages-applications-radiation-pyrometer/
Appendix:

The following is the rearrangement of the total radiation law when the target temperature is

much greater in value than the temperature of the surroundings:

4
𝐼 = δ𝑇𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡 → 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑚 𝑙𝑎𝑤𝑠

4
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝐼 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔δ + 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑇𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡 → 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝐼 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔δ + 4𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑇𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡

𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝐼, 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑇𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡, 𝑎 = 4, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔δ

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 → 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔δ

−8
δ = 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑓𝑎𝑛 𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑧𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 5. 67 × 10

−8
𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔(5. 67 × 10 ) → 𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 16. 685

The following is the percentage error calculation for the slope:

4.4817−4
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 4
× 100 = 12. 04 %.

The following is the percentage error calculation for the y-intercept:

|−14.006−(−16.685)|
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = |−16.685|
= 16. 1%

The following is sample calculations for the obtained values in Table 1:

𝑇1 = 1487 °𝐶 → 𝑇1 = 1487 + 273 = 1760 𝐾

𝑇1 = 1760 𝐾 → 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑇1 = 3. 2455

𝐼1 = 3. 38 µ𝐴 → 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐼1 = 0. 5289
 The following is the sample calculation for the inverse distance squared in Table 2:

1 1 1
𝑑1 = 22 𝑐𝑚 → 2 = 2 = 0. 002066 2
𝑑1 (22) 𝑐𝑚