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EHelp Tips: Temperature Q&A with JR Madden What is the least expensive way to speed up sensor response time in a thermowell?

JRQ. What is the least expensive way to speed up the response time of a sensor installed inside of a thermowell? We have a reactor associated with a quickly changing process and need to be able to control any sudden changes. What do you suggest?

A. We can suggest several solutions:

If you reduce the mass of the thermowell stem, which is the portion inserted into the process, sensitivity to the response will increase.

Another option is to add temperature sensitive paste to the inside of the thermowell to fill in the air space and allow temperature changes to more quickly conduct to the sensor sheath.

Our last recommendation is to reduce the sheath length, which you can do by using one of Moore Industries’ WORM flexible temperature sensors. The WORM has a very short sheath length of 1.5-inches and responds to temperature changes 13% faster than a longer fixed sheath. (Keep in mind: The longer the sheath length the longer the response time). Also, reducing the sheath diameter will speed up response. The WORM sensor also has a reduced tip outside diameter (OD) of 6mm. The shorter and smaller the OD of the sheath, the faster the response rate. Replacing your existing sensor with the WORM sensor should immediately show improved response time.

To read more about the WORM, download the data sheet.

You can also download the Getting Rid of Rigid White Paper for insights to using flexible sensors.

 

Do you want more information? Download the data sheet. Or visit the catalog.

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