The Temperature Sensor Specialists

Constantly improving temperature measurement.

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Category Archives: Products

Waste Treatment Technology Temperature Sensor

Waste Treatment Technology is becoming a more important aspect in society for a number of reasons. Peak Sensors is involved with customers in a number of available technologies, and we are actively seeking new clients with novel waste technology developments to develop better temperature control sensors. If recycling options are exhausted or uneconomic, Turning waste into useful products has a number of advantages.

There are a number of proven and commercially viable waste treatment processes. The processes usually involves some degree of temperature control. Peak Sensors is currently collaborating with these waste treatment technology processes:

Gasification

Pyrolysis

Composting

Waste into Energy, High Temperature Thermocouples.… Read more

Element and Assembly Resistance Thermometer Accuracy

Resistance Thermometer, Pt 100, RTD, whatever you call them, are devices that change resistance with temperature. They are available in a number of defined accuracy bands.

European Resistance Thermometers are usually available as 100Ω at 0°C and 138.5Ω at 100°C according to BS EN 60751 with a linear resistance change within and beyond these temperatures. Resistance Thermometers can be set to 500 or 1000 Ω

Elements can be rated to -200°C and up to +600°C.

RTD’s can be more accurate than Thermocouples, however the expected accuracy of an assembly can easily be misunderstood.

Common Resistance Thermometer Element Types

The Pt 100 sensing element is available in a number of forms:

Thin Film elements are the volume leader inexpensive device.… Read more

Ceramic used in High Temperature Sensor Designs

Temperature Sensors operating above 1100°C normally use ceramic protection sheaths and insulators. The most useful ceramics for temperature sensors are Recrystalised alumina and Aluminous Porcelain.

Recrystalised Alumina Ceramic

Recrystalised Alumina is commonly called RA, Alsint ®, RUBALIT ®  , AluSIK-99 ZA ®, 

RA is the higher temperature grade, with applications up to 1700°C. The specification most usually referred to is DIN 799. A similar grade DIN 710 is now no longer readily available, but it is still seen on older thermocouple specifications sheets. DIN 799 grade is minimum 99.7% Al2O3. Some ceramic shape manufacturers claim 99.8%. My understanding is that the basic raw material before extrusion is 99.8%.… Read more

Temperature Measurement by Exhaust Thermocouple in Engines

Exhaust Thermocouple Sensors are a key element of modern engine management. Measuring the temperature of exhaust gas can provide an important input into system algorithms to improve efficiency, reduce pollutants and extend engine life.

Exhaust Gas sensors are usually thermocouples due to the very high temperatures involved. Often 800°C or more can be achieved. Thermocouple type K is the most common although type J is also found in lower performance engines.

Exhaust Thermocouple Design

The Primary requirement of an Exhaust Thermocouple is to be robust enough to survive a high vibration environment. After that it must be small enough to respond quickly and not disrupt gas flows.… Read more

POX Temperature Sensor for Chemical Plants

Peak Sensors supplies temperature sensors to many specialised applications. POX, Partial Oxidation is a chemical plant process which uses fuel / air mixture to partially oxidise the gases into other useful products. Carbon Monoxide is the common product. The POX temperature sensor requires some novel design detail to survive the plant and to be safe should failure occur.

POX Process

This process occurs at temperatures around 1200 deg C. It is a very aggressive environment for temperature sensors. Heat, Pressure, Oxygen and Combustion products are present. A number of Probes are typically situated almost within the insulation to give them some protection. As insulation deteriates over the plant life the probes get an even tougher life.… Read more

High Voltage Temperature Sensor Design

Temperature sensors regularly go into some very unpleasant environments. Usually this involves chemicals, pressure, temperature extremes or high vibration. Recently we had an enquiry for Resistance Thermometers (Pt 100) to go into high voltage transformers. The probe specification included a test at 3600V AC for 1 minute.  Peak Sensors had very little experience of a high voltage temperature sensor.

The best designs come from collaborative efforts. Peak Sensors knew all the details about making and protecting the probe. The customer was familar with high voltages.

Insulation

The usual insulating polymers (PVC, PTFE, PFA Silicon Rubber) used with temperature sensors were not good enough insulators.… Read more

1 Wire Sensor, Digital thermometer

Peak Sensors now supplies assemblies that are based on Maxim IC 1 Wire Sensors.

Direct to Digital Signals

Volume OEM Applications within the temperature range -55 to + 125 deg C now can use the Maxim High Precision 1-wire Digital thermometer. A digital signal directly from the sensor can give significant advantages over competing technologies.

No standard ready built instrumentation is available, however when volumes are sufficiently high, specialist instrument and software can be designed into equipment control systems.

1 Wire sensor attributes

The accuracy is only +/- 0.5 deg over the range -10 to + 85 deg. 9 bit (0.5 degC) resolution and conversions in 750 ms are adequate for many applications.… Read more

Compost Temperature Sensor Design

Commercial Composting demands good temperature measurement and control. Elevated temperatures are required for throughput management and legal compliance. Compost temperature sensors are required for process management.

Compost Process

Temperatures of around 65 deg C are needed to optimise micro organism activity, accelerate organic matter breakdown, destroy pathogens and eliminate weed seeds. Low temperatures will allow anaerobic rotting to occur.

Throughput, process control and material handling are improved by using in vessel composting systems. Temperature sensors are inserted at strategic positions.

Compost Temperature Sensor design

The sensors have unique design features for this application. The temperature sensors get a rough tough life. Nothing seems to be delicate when making compost so probes must be very robust.… Read more