55-500566

Chemical Process Modelling, Instrumentation &

Control
Tutorial 4
Temperature Sensors

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Chemical Process Modelling, Instrumentation &
Control
Learning and Teaching Outcomes
Class:
a) Investigate RTD and thermistors in more detail
b) Review accuracy and precision
c) Ask questions on the temperature sensor lab

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Rt = R0 (1+ α*T)
Where:
Rt = resistance at given temperature
R0 = resistance at 0'C
α = constant temperature coefficient of resistance
T = measured temperature

1. Derive the linear equation?

Figure 1 - RTD: Resistance against Temperature

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Chemical Process Modelling, Instrumentation &
Control
Rt = R0 (1+ α*T)
Where:
Rt = resistance at given temperature
R0 = resistance at 0'C
α = constant temperature coefficient of resistance
T = measured temperature

1. Derive the linear equation?

R0 = 100
α = 0.384
 
Therefore:
Rt = 100*(1+(3.84*10-3*T))

Figure 1 - RTD: Resistance against Temperature

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2a. The relationship between temperature and resistance is approximately linear over a
small temperature range: for example, it can be assumed that it is linear between 0 and
100°C.

Using the equation derived in question 1 calculate the resistance at 50°C

Rt = 100*(1+(3.84*10-3*50))
Rt = 100 + 19.2
Rt = 119.2 Ω

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2b. During an experiment when the resistance was 119.2 Ω the observed
temperature value was 50.4°C.
Calculate the accuracy of this PT100 temperature sensor at 50°C using
equation 2.
Accuracy (%) =
Eqn.2
Where:
Valuem = Measured or Observed Value

Valuea = Actual or True value

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Accuracy (%) =

= 0.8%
Accuracy = +/- 0.8% since error could be
positive or negative

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2c. Precision is termed as the agreement among several
determinations/measurements of the same quality. Using the temperature
sensor lab as an example, how was the precision measured?
Took multiple readings at the same temperature (40°C) and the deviation
tells you how precise the temperature sensor can measure.

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2d. The range (see equation 3) in measurements between the maximum and minimum value gives an initial value for
the precision: Calculate the Range for the results in Table 1:
Range = Valuemax - Valuemin
Eqn.3
=115.40 - 115.33
= 0.07 Ω
Temperature (°C) Resistance (Ω)
40 115.36
40 115.40
40 115.38
40 115.33
40 115.37

Table 1 - Measured Resistance at 40°C

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2e. Precision can be shown using range as a percent of average
(RPA) value (see equation 4), where the range is divided by the
average and expressed as a percentage:
% of average =
Eqn.4
Calculate the RPA for the results from table 1.
ave = 115.37
RPA = 0.06

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Chemical Process Modelling, Instrumentation &
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CW1:
a) Assignment will be released this on Thursday
b) Please review this before attending the lab session next week
(Week 15)
Task 1
Coursework
March 2019
50% of module
2000 words
50% Instrumentation
50% Process Control
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