Temperature Measurement Sensors

Temperature Measurement Sensors
What is Temperature?
Temperature is a measure of the

average kinetic energy of
particles in a medium
The international unit for

temperature is Kelvin (K) or
degrees Celsius (ºC) where
K = °C + 273
1
Temperature Measurement Sensors
Many physical and chemical phenomena are functions of
temperature, and thus many physical principles can be used to
this measurement.
Temperature measurement is a crucial part of many industrial

processes e.g., mineral processing, plastics, petrochemical and
food
Temperature sensors translate the temperature into a reference

voltage, resistance or current, which is then measured and
processed and a numerical temperature value is computed.
2
Filled-System Thermometers
Use the phenomenon of thermal expansion of matter to

measure temperature change.
It consists of a reservoir or bulb, a flexible capillary tube, and
a hollow Bourdon tube that actuates a signal-transmitting
device and/or a local indicating temperature dial.
3
Filled-System sensor cont…
The filling or transmitting medium is a vapor, a gas, mercury, or
another liquid.
The liquid-filled system is the most common because it requires a

bulb with the smallest volume or permits a smaller instrument to be
used.
The gas-filled system uses the perfect gas law:
For an ideal gas:
T = kPV ………..eq1
Where
T = température
k = constant
P = pressure
V = volume 4
1. Filled-System cont…
If the volume of gas in the measuring instrument is kept
constant, then the ratio of the gas pressure and temperature is
constant;
P1/T1 = P2/T2 …………….eq2
Example:
A gas in a fixed volume has a pressure of 30Pa at a
temperature of 20°C. What is the temperature in °C if the
pressure in the detector has increased to 35 Pa?
Soln:
T = T (°C) + 273
= 20 + 273 = 293°
From eq2, T2 = (35/30) × 293 = 341°
5
2. Bimetallic Thermometers
A bimetallic strip curves or twists when exposed to a temperature change
because of the different thermal expansion coefficients of the metals used
in it.
Bimetallic temperature sensors are based on the principle of that different

metals experience thermal expansion with changes in temperature
A solid bar will change

in length when it experiences
a change in temperature
ΔL= kLΔT
k is the coefficient of linear Bimetallic strip

expansion 6
Example: How much will a 4-m-long copper rod at 20°C
expand when the temperature is changed from 0 to 100°C?
Solution: First, find the length of the rod at 0°C and at 100°C,
then find the change in length.
From ; ΔL = kLΔT
Lo = kL(To – T20) + L
At 0°C, Lo = (16.6 X 10–6/°C) 4 m (0 – 20)°C + 4 m
= 3.9987m
At 100°CL100 = (16.6 X 10–6/°C) 4 m(100 – 20)°C + 4 m
= 4.00531 m
Then expansion is L100 – Lo = 0.00661 m
Thermal expansion coefficient of some common metals 7

Bimetallic dial thermometer
8
3. Thermocouples
When two wires composed of dissimilar metals are joined to
form a continuous loop and their junctions are at different
temperatures, an e.m.f. will be generated which cause a
current to flow.
This principle is called the thermocouple effect, and was
discovered by Thomas Seebeck in 1821.
And so, the electromotive force (EMF) produced when the
junctions of dissimilar alloys are maintained at different
temperatures is known as the Seebeck EMF.
9
Thermocouples cont…
If a millivoltmeter is inserted into the loop, its output reading
will give us an indication of the temperature difference
between the two junctions of the loop
Therefore if one end of a thermocouple is held at a known

reference, the temperature of the other end can be calculated
For small changes in temperature, the Seebeck voltage is
linearly proportional to temperature:
Vab = α(T1 - T2)
α→ The Seebeck coefficient constant of proportionality
10
Example: Find the Seebeck voltage for a thermocouple with
α= 40 μv/0C if the junction temperatures are 40°C and 80°C.
Soln: From
Vab = α (T1 – T2)
Vab = 40 μv/°C (80°C – 40°C) = 1.6 mv
Standard Thermocouple Types and Ranges
11
Advantages:
•Wide operating temperature range can be used at high
temperatures
•Fairly cheap
•Interchangeable
•Have standard connectors
Disadvantages:
•Lack of precision
Materials used: Platinum (Pt), Rhodium (Rh), Rhenium (Re),

Tungsten (W), Chromel (Ni-Cr), Alumel, Constantan
12
4. Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs)
RTDs function on the principle that as the sensing element is
heated, the resistance of the metal wire increases
proportionally.
They are mainly made from metallic conductors and mostly of
platinum because of its predictable response, long-term
stability and durability.
High accuracy and expensive sensors, they are standard used
for most of the temperature range of industrial interest.
Typical RTD – resistance temperature detectors 13

RTDs cont…
The most common types of RTD available for industrial and
commercial uses are:
Wire-wound in a ceramic insulator
Thin film in a ceramic insulator
14
RTDs cont…
Resistance are often measured using a Wheatstone Bridge
arrangement and RTDs are calibrated to exhibit a resistance of
100 Ω at 0°C.
More examples of RTDS
15
RTDs cont…
Advantages:
•High accuracy and can therefore be used in precision
applications
•Has low drift with time
•Wide operating temperature range
Disadvantages:
•Are not often used above 660ºC as it is difficult to keep the
platinum pure
16
5. Thermistors
Thermistors, like RTDs, vary their resistance as the ambient

temperature is changed. Use ceramic or polymer materials
instead of pure metal.
They usually present a negative temperature coefficient
(NTC), although PTC (Positive temperature coefficient)
thermistors are also available.
Low-accuracy and low stability sensors, but low cost, they
present an exponential-like dependence on temperature.
Thermistors can operate without significant error with long

lead wires, because of their high base resistance.
Thus they can be installed at long distances, upwards of one
hundred metres, from the input module. 17
Thermistors cont…
Comparison of TC, RTD, and thermistor
RTD → Resistance temperature detector

TC → Thermocouple 18
6. Radiation Pyrometers
A radiation pyrometer is a noncontact temperature sensor that

infers the temperature of an object by detecting its naturally
emitted thermal radiation.
They are used to measure the temperature of a surface if it is

visible in the measurement range -100 ºC - 3500 ºC
Often used for objects with rapid temperature changes,

moving objects and small objects
An optical system collects the visible and infrared energy from

an object and focuses it on a detector
19
The detector converts the collected energy into an electrical signal to drive a temperature display or control unit.
Radiation pyrometers are used

for very hot objects with rapid
temp change, moving and small
size without being in contact .
Block diagram of radiation e.g. Molten glass and molten
pyrometer
The detector receives the photon metals during smelting and
energy from the optical system forming operations
and converts it into an electrical
signal. It can be rectangular, circular, and
Two types of detectors are used: slot shaped, depending on the
Thermal (thermopile) and kind of apertures used in the
Photon (photomultiplier tubes) instrument.
20
Radiation Pyrometers cont…
21
Temperature Dependant Colours
Strips which change colour

according to the temperature of
the surface they are attached to.
For example the strips used on the

side of fish tanks
22
UNTIL NEXT
TIME
23

Temperature Measurement Sensors

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Temperature Measurement Sensors

Temperature is a measure of the

The international unit for

Temperature measurement is a crucial part of many industrial

Temperature sensors translate the temperature into a reference

Use the phenomenon of thermal expansion of matter to

The liquid-filled system is the most common because it requires a

Bimetallic temperature sensors are based on the principle of that different

A solid bar will change

k is the coefficient of linear Bimetallic strip

Thermal expansion coefficient of some common metals 7

Therefore if one end of a thermocouple is held at a known

Materials used: Platinum (Pt), Rhodium (Rh), Rhenium (Re),

Typical RTD – resistance temperature detectors 13

Thin film in a ceramic insulator

More examples of RTDS

Thermistors, like RTDs, vary their resistance as the ambient

Thermistors can operate without significant error with long

RTD → Resistance temperature detector

A radiation pyrometer is a noncontact temperature sensor that

They are used to measure the temperature of a surface if it is

Often used for objects with rapid temperature changes,

An optical system collects the visible and infrared energy from

Radiation pyrometers are used

Strips which change colour

For example the strips used on the

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