What is thermowell?

Thermowells are usually sleeves, closed at one end, inserted into a pipeline or tank, which are immersed in a medium - liquid or gas. Thermowell protects the sensor from the destructive properties of the medium, stabilize the sensor, and allow replacement of sensing element or calibration without having to stop the process, for example, emptying the tank.

Advantages of thermowells for temperature sensors

In summary, the advantages of immersion sleeves are:

• increase the life of the measuring insert by protecting it from the effects of harsh process environment conditions such as high pressure, high-velocity flow, high temperature and corrosive process media. It acts as a barrier between sensor and process medium

• the ability to replace the measuring insert or calibration without stopping the process

• the sensor can be removed from the sheath easily and quickly without disassembly

• mechanical stability against pressure and flow

• no leakage of the medium when the sensor is pulled out

Thermowell types

Protection tubes are used for various types of temperature sensors, including resistance temperature sensors, dial thermometers, thermocouples and thermostats. They are classified according to criteria such as:

Process connection

• thermowell threaded

• thermowells with flange connection

• thermowells for welding

Thermowell material

Thermowells are most often made of stainless steel. We also distinguish immersion sleeves made of such materials as:

• carbon steel - for oxidizing environments of temperatures up to +700°C

• inconel alloy, having greater resistance to corrosion at high temperatures

• monel alloy resistant to seawater

• nickel for oxidizing and sulfur-free atmospheres

• tantalum - resistant to corrosion caused by chemicals

Application

We can also classify protection tubes of temperature sensors by application, such as:

• hygienic thermowells - dedicated for food and pharmaceutical industries

• ATEX thermowells - for explosion hazardous areas

Thermowell design

• one-piece casing

• multipart shield

Immersion sleeve of the temperature sensor – depth of immersion

Thermowells are typically installed in piping systems. The thermowell should reach the place where the flow on the turbulent (turbulent) character, and the temperature reaches a representative value. The depth of the disturbance depends on the type of medium:

• gases - depth = 10x the diameter of the sleeve

• liquids - depth = 5x the diameter of the casing

For pipelines with a small cross section, sometimes it is not possible to maintain these distances. Then we recommend inserting the immersion casing through the opening at the bend of the channel, with the tip in the direction of the inflow of the medium.

Consequences of placing thermowells at an inadequate depth

Depth of immersion is an important aspect, as a sleeve placed too shallow will cause effects of temperature measurement to be falsified due to proximity to the duct walls - they will be inflated if there is a heat source close by, or lowered if the temperature outside the pipeline is lower than the temperature of the medium. Placing the shield too deep will increase the response time of the temperature sensor.