MEC322 Chapter 5.1 - TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

MEC 322: CONTROL SYSTEMS
AND
INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 5
TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

MEASUREMENT
5.1
TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENT
LEARNING OUTCOME
1. Acquire the basic concepts, terminology, and principles of
temperature measurement.
2. Able to identify the types of temperature measurement.
2
5.1.1 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

3rd body
5. Example: The thermometer is calibrated against a

standard and is subsequently used to read unknown
temperatures.
5.1.2 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: temperature in kelvin
t: temperature in celsius
T= t + 273.15
5.1.3 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.
5.1.4 Bimetallic Thermometer.
1. Use the principle of solid expansion and consists of a
‘bimetal’ strip usually in the form of cantilever beam.
A – FASTER
ELONGATION (BRASS)
B – SLOWEST
ELONGATION
(IRON/INVAR)
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.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
(BIMETALLIC STRIP THERMOMETER)
WORKING PRINCIPLE
1. Temperatures can be measured based on the
principle of different thermal expansion of
solids.
2. For this purpose, two metal strips (ex: steel/invar
and brass) with different degrees of thermal
expansion are firmly joined together.
3. When heated, the metal strip deforms due to the
different degrees of expansion.
4. The deformation is a measure of the temperature
and can be read on a calibrated scale.
THE BIMETALLIC HELIX
THERMOMETER
THE BIMETALLIC HELIX
THERMOMETER USAGE
APPLICATION: THERMOSTAT IN OVEN AND
REFRIGERATOR
APPLICATION: ELECTRICAL
IRON
APPLICATION: FIRE ALARM
5.1.5 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.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
1. Two metals joined together to form two junctions.

2. One is connected to the body whose temperature is to be measured; this is
the hot or measuring junction.
3. The other junction is connected to a body of known temperature; this is the
cold or reference junction.
4. Then, it will generate different potential that give a value of voltage.
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
Base metal thermocouples
categories: Rare metal thermocouples
Pure metal + alloy of Pure metal + alloy of
iron/copper/nickel platinum/tungsten/rhodium/molybden
um
Used for temperature up to 1450K = Platinum up to 1600°C, others up to
1176.85 °C 3000°C
More sensitive, cheaper & nearly linear

characteristic
Lower operating range due to low

melting point & vulnerability to
6. For increase its sensivity, thermocouples may be
attached in series or parallel which known as
thermopile.
7. Advantages of TC sensor (page 287):
By its nature, a
thermocouple
8. Disadvantages of TC sensor (page 287): junction does not
generate any
thermovoltage
when it is in 0°C
(32°F)
temperature.
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.
Quartz Thermometer
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 achieve 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

QUARTZ LC SHAPE
BASIC PRINCIPLE
1. A crystal oscillator is an electronic oscillator circuit that uses the
mechanical resonance of a vibrating crystal of piezoelectric material
to create an electrical signal with a precise frequency and this
frequency is often used to keep track of time.
2. What frequency does quartz resonate at?
The quartz crystal used vibrates with frequency 32,768 Hz.
3. What is the period of the crystals motion?
Advantages (page 289) Limitations (page 289)
Highly linear output. Limited measuring range -40
to 230°C.
Long-term stability and Piezo-electric crystals have
reliability. 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.

MEC322 Chapter 5.1 - TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MEC322 Chapter 5.1 - TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

MEC322 Chapter 5.1 - TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MEC 322: CONTROL SYSTEMS

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

1. Temperature is most widely measured quantity in

If two bodies are in thermal equilibrium

1st body 2nd body

5. Example: The thermometer is calibrated against a

T₁,T₂ : Reservoir of heat (T₁ > T₂ )

3. Kelvin an Celsius scales are related by:

2. Temperature-sensing techniques are as follows:

7. Bimetallic thermometer usually function between -30 to 550°C.

1. Two metals joined together to form two junctions.

More sensitive, cheaper & nearly linear

Lower operating range due to low

quartz crystal oscillator

1. Nakra, B. C. (2009). Instrumentation Measurement and Analysis.

You might also like