Measurement Techniques and Devices Flashcards
How can measurement techniques and devices be classified?
-In terms of the data acquired, they can be continuous or discrete
-In terms of the time or frequency they can be continuous or sampled
-In terms of their process applicability, they can be on-line or off-line
What should we consider when determining an instruments suitability?
purpose, measurement range, accuracy, repeatability, resolution, measurement uncertainty, and turndown ratio
Continuous Measurements
The output of a continuous measurement device, often called a transmitted, indicates the current value of the variable being measured. Temperature (thermocouple) and pressure (transducer) measurements are typically continuous, but they can be discrete too
Discrete/Sampled Measurements
The output of a discrete measurement device is one of two states, depending on the value of the variable being measured on or off. Compositional measurements are typically discrete (but pH measurements can be continuous too)
Terms that define the measurement range
-Lower limit of the measuring range
-Upper limit of the measuring range
-Span: difference between upper and lower limits
Measurement Range
covers the maximum and minimum measured values for which the error of a measuring instrument will be within the specified limits. Within this range, the measurement has a well defined accuracy, outside the range it does not.
Accuracy
degree of conformity of the measured value with either a standard, reference or other accepted value for the variable being measured. It is usually stated as the error in the measured value - frequent instrumentation calibration is required
Repeatability
applies to the same measurement device in a given application
Reproducibility
applies to different measurement devices in the same application
Precision
May not mean accuracy, could be repeatability. The quality of being exact. To qualify a measurement or specification, especially by the number of significant figures.
Resolution
To the least count of an instrument. For example, the resolution of a ruler with millimeter markings is 1mm.
Turndown Ratio
Relates the maximum measured value to the minimum (non-zero) measured value
Why is temperature important?
-Chemical reactions (rate and conversion)
-Physical/transport properties
-Determines state of matter (PVT diagram)
-Phase equilibria
-Plant equipment because material properties change with temperature
Thermal Equilibrium
When two objects are at the same temperature are brought into thermal contact, no heat will flow from one object to the other because they are in thermal equilibrium
Kinetic Theory of Gases
Temperature is a manifestation of measure of average kinetic energy of all particles (atoms and molecules) in a system. T = f (KE)
-Adding thermal energy (or heat) to a system causes an increase in the average kinetic energy and leads to an increase in temperature (no phase change)
Difference in Temperature
1C = 1K = 1.8F = 1.8R
How are reported variables related to measured
Instruments often measure a variable other than what is reported with the reported value related to the measured value by way of calibration
Thermowell
Temperature probe is shielded from the actual process fluids by placing it in a thermowell. Then due to time lag and/or resistance Tp might be different from Tf.
Thermometers (what does it encompass, how does it work)
-sensor and indicator
-under constant pressure the liquid volume changes with a change in temperature
Simplest Thermometer
Liquid bulb thermometer
Key property of thermometers/Bimetallic Strips
Volume coefficient of expansion, B = (1/V) (∂V/∂T)P
Bimetallic Strips
Consists of two metal strips with differing thermal properties, bound or held together
-when the temperature changes the bimetallic strip deforms which can be correlated to the temperature
-typically made into a coil that is attached to an indicator gauge
Two examples of Bimetallic Strips
-Old household thermostats
-Automobile temperature gauges
Are bimetallic strips continuous?
-inexpensive way to obtain single temperature readings for on/off type of applications
-not useful for continuously monitoring
Thermocouples
Temperature difference produces a known voltage
-in order to measure temperature, T sense, the measured voltage and the value of T ref have to be known for each metal pair
What principle do thermocouples operate on?
Seebeck principle “Applying a temperature difference across two dissimilar metals can produce a voltage across a resistor”
Junctions
metals in a thermocouple are only in contact at two single points which are known as junctions
Wires of thermocouples
The wires (connecting the thermocouple to data logger) have to be of the same metals as the thermocouple. If not the reading will be affected by temperature differences along the length of the wire.
-the wires are color coded for easy identification
Grounded Junction
Wires are welded to the sheath and electrically grounded. The remaining circuit much not have another path to the ground.
Ungrounded Junction
Wires are not electrically grounded with the sheath. The data acquisition hardware must be grounded.
Exposed
The measuring junction is exposed directly to the medium. This provides for a fast response.
Rules of thumb for installing thermocouples
- Use the least length of connecting wires
- Avoid laying thermocouple wiring along the same path as high voltage cables and near power machinery
- Use shielded wiring
- Ground the electrical circuit only at one point
- Avoid filtering noise with hardware as this can lead to excessive smoothing (smoothing can be done by data acquisition software)
-susceptible to electrical/magnetic noise due to small micro-to-milli volt range
How expensive are thermocouples
-Relatively inexpensive ($100 per probe)
Can many thermocouples be connected to a single data acquisition machine or terminal?
yes
RTDs
-RTDs consist of a length of fine wire wrapped around a ceramic or glass core
-RTD wire is a pure material, typically platinum, nickel, or copper which has an accurate resistance vs temperature relationship
-RTD elements are fragile often housed in protective probes
Three main categories of RTDs
-Thin-Film
-Wire Wound
-Coiled Elements
-Carbon resistors are used at low temperatures (-273 to -173C)
Thermocouple in comparison to RTD
RTDs have higher accuracy and repeatability than thermocouples, hence they are preferred in industrial applications at temperatures below 600C
The selection between thermocouples and RTDs is influenced by which 4 factors
- Temperature range (RTDs are limited)
- Response Time (Thermocouples have faster response time)
- Size (Thermocouple diameters are smaller)
- Accuracy and stability requirements (RTDs offer high accuracy, lower drift, longer life, and precision)
Which temperature can RTDs not be used at
not to be used about 600-650C because the platinum wire can become contaminated by impurities from the metal sheath
RTDs compared to thermistors
platinum RTDs are less sensitive to small temperature changes and have a slower response time. Thermistors have a smaller temperature range and stability.
Thermistors
-Resistor whose resistance depends on temperature more than a resistor
-When a current flows through a thermistor, it generates heat, which raises the temperature of the thermistor (T) above that of its environment (To)
What equation is used for thermistors?
-At steady state, the rate of heat generation (from Ohm’s law) becomes equal to the rate of heat loss from convection (Newton’s law of cooling)
iV = V^2/R = hA(ΔT) = K (T-To), K is called the dissipation constant and T is related to R
-This equality of the two steady state rates is used for temperature measurement. To = T-V^2/KR
Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) Thermistors
Resistance decreases as temperature increase, K is negative
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors
Resistance increases as temperature increases, K is positive
What temperatures are thermistors used for
low temperatures -50C to 150C
Pyrometers
Remote sensing devices for measuring the temperature of a surface based on the amount of emitted thermal radiation
Infrared Thermometers (Modern Pyrometers)
measure the temperature of relatively cooler objects, by detecting their infrared radiation flux
How do pyrometers work?
Pyrometers have an optical system which focuses the thermal radiation onto a detector
-the output is used to detect the temperature from a distance without any thermal contact with the object