THERMOWELL

SHIBENDU MAHATA
Assistant Professor
EIE Department
BCREC

Shibendu Mahata/EI501

What is a Thermowell?
Provides mechanical and corrosion protection
for thermal elements.
Thermowells permit the removal of thermal
elements for calibration, replacement, or
repairs and also allow the use of portable
sensors.
Temperature Range: cryogenic to 1950 degC.
MOC: Carbon Steel, SS304, SS316, Inconel,
Monel, Ceramics(Alumina, Mullite).
Shibendu Mahata/EI501

THERMOCOUPLE TYPES
1. Protection Tubes
2. Sheaths

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1. Protection Tubes
Generally ceramics (Mullite and high-purity alumina)
While not as strong as metallic thermowells, they do not
droop and can withstand higher temperatures
Are free of contamination which can cause thermocouple
drift due to vapor deposition of elements at higher
temperatures.
In addition to being corrosion-resistant, mullite can operate
up to 1750C and alumina up to 1950C.
Note: When platinum TCs are used at temperatures
exceeding 1200C, mullite should not be used, because it
contains impurities that can contaminate platinum. For
such applications, high-purity alumina is the proper choice.
Shibendu Mahata/EI501

Protection Tubes(contd.)
Dual protection tubes may be used where the outer tube
provides mechanical protection and the inner tube provides
corrosion or permeation protection

Shibendu Mahata/EI501

2. Metallic Sheaths
The metallic sheaths are
commonly used for mineralinsulated(MI) thermocouples
in which the wire elements are
surrounded by ceramic oxides
such as magnesium oxide.
After being packed with
powdered oxides, the sheaths
are swaged or rolled under
pressure to reduce their
diameter and tightly pack the
powdered insulation

Shibendu Mahata/EI501

Metallic Sheaths(contd.)
This process serves to reduce intrusion of atmosphere within the sheath,
but does not protect against humidity or moisture.
Moisture intrusion is rapid and deteriorates insulation resistance to the
point of thermocouple failure. Procedures for insulation resistance testing
are to be found in the American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM)documentation.
Sheathing can also cause vapor transfer at elevated temperatures, which
can result in thermocouple drift. This is the case with stainless steel
sheaths used for nickel-bearing TCs such as types K and N. The problem
can be eliminated by specifying low-manganese Inconel or modified
Nicrosil sheathing.
Note: Look at the choice of materialsNeed to know this as a
Maintainance Instrumentation Engr.

Assignment: Prepare a report on Insulation Resistance Testing, as

recommended by ASTM.
Shibendu Mahata/EI501

THERMOWELL INSTALLATION
Well installation should be planned so that the wells
are readily accessible for servicing and the thermal
elements can be withdrawn without obstruction by
adjacent structures.
Vertical installation is preferred for very high
temperature use to prevent sagging.
Horizontal installation, on the other hand, avoids some
contamination by foreign materials.
In horizontal installations, consideration should be
given to the possibility that construction or repair
personnel might misuse the wells as steps. ---Its
funny,but HAPPENS often!!
Shibendu Mahata/EI501

THERMOWELL INSTALLATION(contd.)

NOTE: Thermowells inserted into small pipes can also cause excessive
flow restrictions, pressure drops, or even plugging.
Shibendu Mahata/EI501

THERMOWELL INSTALLATION(CONTD.)
IMMERSION DEPTH
The thermowell immersion
depth (U) should be sufficient
to eliminate conduction error.
A general rule is to use an
insertion length equaling a
minimum of 10 times the
diameter of the protection
tube or well.
Another rule of thumb is to
have the sensitive portion of
the sensor immersed to a
depth of a minimum of 3 in.
(75 mm) plus the length of the
sensitive portion.
Shibendu Mahata/EI501

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THERMOWELL TIME CONSTANT

The time constant of a thermal element increases
with its mass.
If time constants of a couple of seconds or less
are required, unprotected, small diameter, and
bare thermal elements must be usedrisk of the
thermal element getting damaged.
The addition of even a thin-walled sheath or
thermowell increases the time constant to about
5 sec as a minimum, and with larger bulbs it can
reach 30 sec.---results in process control
problems!!
Shibendu Mahata/EI501

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Thermowell Material Selection

depends upon type of
industry(operating environment)

Shibendu Mahata/EI501

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