PDC Laboratory Report

Experiment # 3
Iron Constant Thermocouple

Submitted by:

Tayyiba Zafrullah
Hassan Zoraez
Sadia Qamar
Haris Rana
Usama Javed

2012-CH-61
2012-CH-71
2012-CH-73
2012-CH-85
2012-CH-111

Submitted to:
Sir Rizwan Ali

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore

Chemical Engineering Department

ABSTRACT
Thermocouples detect the change in temperature by measuring the change in voltage between
the two different wire legs. Depending upon temperature range, accuracy and applications
different types of thermocouples are employed. Thermistors and RTDs use change in
resistance to measure the temperature difference. RTDs are accurate and stable compared to
thermistors while thermocouples are used industrially.

THERMOCOUPLE
A Thermocouple is a sensor used to measure temperature. Thermocouples consist of two
wire legs made from different metals. The wires legs are welded together at one end, creating
a junction. This junction is where the temperature is measured. When the junction
experiences a change in temperature, a voltage is created. The voltage can then be interpreted
using thermocouple reference tables to calculate the temperature

Physical principle:
Seebeck effect
The Seebeck effect creates an electromotive force wherever there is a temperature gradient. This
electromotive force can be used to perform work, however in the thermocouple it is used to
develop an open-circuit voltage. Under open-circuit conditions where there is no internal current
flow, the gradient of voltage (
) is directly proportional to the gradient in temperature (
):

where S(T) is a temperature dependent material property known as the Seebeck coefficient.
The measured voltage can be found by adding up (integrating) the electromotive forces along the
entire path from the negative terminal of the voltmeter to the positive terminal
The measured voltage turns out to be

where
and
are the Seebeck coefficients of the conductors attached to the positive and
negative terminals of the voltmeter, respectively (chromel and alumel in the figure).

Types of Thermocouples:
Before discussing the various types of thermocouples, it should be noted that a thermocouple is
often enclosed in a protective sheath to isolate it from the local atmosphere. This protective
sheath drastically reduces the effects of corrosion.

1. Type K Thermocouple (Nickel-Chromium / Nickel-Alumel):

The type K is the most common type of thermocouple. Its
inexpensive, accurate, reliable, and has a wide
temperature range.

Temperature Range:
Thermocouple grade wire: 454 to 2300F (270 to 1260C)
Extension wire: 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

Standard: +/- 2.2C or +/- .75%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.1C or 0.4%
2. Type J Thermocouple (Iron/Constantan):
The type J is also very common. It has a smaller temperature range and a shorter lifespan at
higher temperatures than the Type K. It is equivalent to the Type K in terms of expense and
reliability.

Temperature range:
Thermocouple grade wire: -346
to 1,400F (-210 to 760C)
Extension wire: 32 to 392F (0 to
200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

Standard: +/- 2.2C or +/- .75%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.1C or 0.4%
3. Type T Thermocouple (Copper/Constantan):
The Type T is a very stable thermocouple and is often used in extremely low
temperature applications such as cryogenics or ultra-low freezers.

Temperature Range:
Thermocouple grade wire: -454
to 700F (-270 to 370C)

Extension wire: 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

Standard: +/- 1.0C or +/- .75%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.5C or 0.4%

4. Type E Thermocouple (Nickel-Chromium/Constantan):

The Type E has a stronger signal & higher accuracy than the Type K or Type J at moderate
temperature ranges of 1,000F and lower. See temperature chart (linked) for details.

Temperature Range:
Thermocouple grade wire: -454
to 1600F (-270 to 870C)
Extension wire: 32 to 392F (0 to
200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

Standard: +/- 1.7C or +/- 0.5%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.0C or 0.4%

5. Type N Thermocouple (Nicrosil / Nisil):

The Type N shares the same accuracy and temperature limits as the Type K. The type N is
slightly more expensive.

Temperature Range:
Thermocouple grade wire: -454
to 2300F (-270 to 392C)
Extension wire: 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater): Standard: +/- 2.2C or +/- .75%

Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.1C or 0.4%

6. Type S Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium - 10% / Platinum):

The Type S is used in very high temperature applications. It is commonly found in the Biotech
and Pharmaceutical industries. It is sometimes used in lower temperature applications because of
its high accuracy and stability.

Temperature Range:
Thermocouple grade wire: -58 to 2700F

(-50 to 1480C)

Extension wire: 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

Standard: +/- 1.5C or +/- .25%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.6C or 0.1%

7. Type R Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium -13% / Platinum):

The Type R is used in very high temperature applications. It has a higher percentage of
Rhodium than the Type S, which makes it more expensive. The Type R is very similar to the
Type S in terms of performance. It is sometimes used in lower temperature applications because
of its high accuracy and stability.

Temperature Range:
Thermocouple grade wire: -58 to 2700F
(-50 to 1480C)
Extension wire: 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

Standard: +/- 1.5C or +/- .25%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.6C or 0.1%

8.Type B Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium 30% / Platinum

Rhodium 6%):
The Type B thermocouple is used in extremely high temperature applications. It has the
highest temperature limit of all of the
thermocouples listed above. It
maintains a high level of accuracy and
stability at very high temperatures.

Temperature Range:
Thermocouple grade wire: 32 to 3100F (0 to 1700C)
Extension wire: 32 to 212F (0 to 100C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

Standard: +/- 0.5%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.25

9. Nobel Metal Thermocouple (Type S, R, & B):

Noble Metal Thermocouples are selected for their ability to withstand extremely high
temperatures while maintaining their accuracy and lifespan. They are considerably more
expensive than Base Metal Thermocouples.

Procedure
Complete the circuit as shown using the digital voltmeter. Note the reading on the digital
voltmeter. Switch on the heater. As thermocouple receives heat and digital voltmeter reading
changes. Record the reading every minute. after some time, the measured voltage shall settle
on particular time constant from the plot. Draw a graph of emf vs time. Establish the time
constant from the plot. Establish the temperature at all measured emf (milli volts) using
thermocouple table appropriate metals.

Readings & Calculations:

Time (s)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

Voltage (mV)
0.1
0.2
0.5
0.9
1.4
2.4
2.9
3.5
4
4.5
05
5.4
5.9
6.3
6.6
6.9
7.2
7.5
7.7
8
8.1
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
8.9
9
9
9
9.1
9.1
9.1
9.1
9.1

Temperature( C)
26.931
28.858
34.619
42.257
51.739
70.518
79.287
90.939
100.154
109.334
118.484
125.783
134.886
142.154
147.596
153.003
158.463
163.889
167.504
172.923
174.729
178.339
180.143
181.947
183.751
185.555
187.358
189.161
189.161
190.63
190.63
190.63
190.63
190.63
190.63
190.63
190.63

Voltage Vs
Time
10
9
8

Voltage(mV)

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0

40

10

15

20

25

30

35

Time (mins)

Time Constant :
Thermistors:
A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance is dependent on temperature, more so than in
standard resistors. The word is a portmanteau of thermal and resistor. Thermistors are widely
used as inrush current limiter, temperature sensors (NTC type typically),self-resetting
overcurrent protectors, and self-regulating heating elements.
Thermistors differ from resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) in that the material used in a
thermistor is generally a ceramic or polymer, while RTDs use pure metals. The temperature
response is also different; RTDs are useful over larger temperature ranges, while thermistors
typically achieve a greater precision within a limited temperature range, typically 90 C to 130
C.

RTDS:
Resistance thermometers, also called resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), are sensors used
to measure temperature by correlating the resistance of the RTD element with temperature. Most
RTD elements consist of a length of fine coiled wire wrapped around a ceramic or glass core. The
element is usually quite fragile, so it is often placed inside a sheathed probe to protect it. The
RTD element is made from a pure material, typically platinum, nickel or copper. The material has
a predictable change in resistance as the temperature changes and it is this predictable change
that is used to determine temperature.
They are slowly replacing the use of thermocouples in many industrial applications below 600
C, due to higher accuracy and repeatability

Remarks:
1. Platinum RTDs are the most accurate and stable sensors over a long time period. Their cost
to the trade is typically about Cdn$5 more per point than thermistors. Some automation
panels do not accept RTDs directly and with these panels they must be used
with temperature transmitters which add about Cdn$50.

2. Thermistors are not quite as accurate or stable as RTDs but they are easier to wire,
cost slightly less and almost all automation panels accept them directly. Note though that
thermistors are available in many different base resistances and with many different
curves. You must specify the right thermistor for the panel you will use.
3. Thermocouples are widely used in industrial applications because they work reliably at
very high temperatures and are less expensive than RTDs. In building automation, they
are rarely required because most temperatures measured are less than 100C. They are,
however, used frequently in flue gas measurements in conjunction with 2-wire
transmitters.

References
https:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermocouple
www.thermocopuleinfo.com

www.encorp.com/temp/thermistors_comparison.html