THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

SUBJECT NAME THERMODYNAMICS I

SUBJECT CODE MMJ10403 LAB NO. 2

LAB MODULE

THERMODYNAMICS I

LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY
1 2 3 4 5 6
KNOWLEDGE REPETITION APPLICATION ANALYSIS EVALUATION SYNTHESIS

√ √ √

1
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

EXPERIMENT 2

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT METHOD

1. OBJECTIVE

2. INTRODUCTION

3. EQUIPMENT

4. PROCEDURE

5. RESULTS

6. DISCUSSION / EVALUATION AND QUESTION

7. CONCLUSION

2
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

EXPERIMENT 1
Temperature Measurement Method

1. OBJECTIVE

1.1 To learn fundamental temperature measuring techniques using

i. Mercury-glass thermometer
ii. Thermocouple (type K)
iii. Thermistor
iv. Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
v. Bi-metal thermometer

1.2 To compare the accuracy of the various temperature measurement devices.

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 Background

Temperatures measure of the relative warmness or coolness of an object. Temperature is

measured by means of a thermometer or other instrument having a scale calibrated in units called
degrees. The size of a degree depends on the particular temperature scale being used. A
temperature scale is determined by choosing two reference temperatures and dividing the
temperature difference between these two points into a certain number of degrees. The two reference
temperatures used for most common scales are the melting point of ice and the boiling point of water.
On the Celsius temperature scale, or centigrade scale, the melting point is taken as 0°C and the
boiling point as 100°C, and the difference between them is divided into 100 degrees. On the
Fahrenheit temperature scale, the melting point is taken as 32°F and the boiling point as 212°F, with
the difference between them equal to 180 degrees.

The temperature of a substance does not measure its heat content but rather the average
kinetic energy of its molecules resulting from their motions. A one-pound block of iron and a two-

3
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

pound block of iron at the same temperature do not have the same heat content. Because they are at
the same temperature the average kinetic energy of the molecules is the same; however, the two-
pound block has more molecules than the one-pound block and thus has greater heat energy.

The scale we use to measure temperature is "degrees" (°). There are three temperature
scales that are used today.

i. The Kelvin (K) scale is used by scientists and for astronomical temperatures.
ii. The Celsius scale (°C) is used in most of the world to measure air temperatures.
iii. The Fahrenheit scale(°F) is used to measure temperatures at or near the surface.

All three temperature scales are related to each other through the "triple point of water". The
triple point of water is the temperature at which water vapor, liquid water, and ice can coexist
simultaneously. The triple point occurs at 0.01 °C (273.16 K or 32.02 °F). To convert from one
temperature scale to another, we need to use the equations as below:

1) Convert Celsius to Kelvin: K = °C + 273

2) Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: °F = 1.8(°C) + 32

2.2 Mercury in Glass Thermometer

The mercury in glass thermometer (figure 1) is a thermometer consisting of mercury in a glass

tube. Calibrated marks on the tube allow the temperature to be read by the height of the mercury
column in the capillary tube which varies according to the temperature. Glass thermometer is
accurate, economical instrument that measures temperature of liquids or gases. All of the glass
thermometers conform to the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). ASTM (American
Society for Testing and Materials) thermometers vary from 5.5 mm to 8 mm in diameter;
most other thermometers have a 6 mm to 7 mm diameter. Glass thermometer temperature
ranges are around -199.8°C until 499.5°C.

2.1.1 Types of Glass Thermometer

a) Partial Immersion

4
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

Partial immersion thermometer is immersed in the fluid to a specified immersion depth.The

remaining (emergent) portion of the stem is exposed to the air.

b) Total Immersion
Total immersion thermometer need to be immersed up to the liquid temperature mark on the
thermometer. Since the thermometer column is fully immersed, this thermometer is the most
accurate.

Figure 1: Glass Thermometer

2.3 Thermocouple

Thermocouple as shows in figure 2, is a temperature measurement sensor that consists of

two dissimilar metals that joined together at one end (a junction) that produces a small thermoelectric
voltage when the junction is heated. Thermocouple thermometers interpret the change in
thermoelectric voltage as a change in temperature.

Figure 2: Thermocouple with probe

Thermocouple is available in various types with different combinations of dissimilar metals.

The most common types are: Type J, K, T and E. For example, Type K Thermocouple is ranged

5
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

between -249.75°C to 1373.625°C and Type J Thermocouple is ranged between -189.81 °C to

999°C.

Exposed junction thermocouple is fast responding but the thermocouple itself is unprotected
and subject to corrosion from the environment. Also, the smaller the probe sheath diameter, the faster
the response. Often the thermocouple is located inside a metal or ceramic shield that protects it from
a variety of environments. Metal-sheathed thermocouple is also available with many types of outer
coating, such as polytetrafluoro ethylene for trouble-free use in corrosive mediums.

2.4 Thermistor

Thermistor as shows in figure 3 is a thermally sensitive resistor and has, according to type, a
negative (NIC) or positive (PTC) resistance/temperature coefficient. Thermistor thermometry is based
on the principle that metal oxides change resistance with a change in temperature. Resistance
decreases as the temperature decreases. The meter where it is converted and displayed as a
temperature reading detects this resistance change. Thermistor has excellent accuracy over
biological or ambient temperature ranges when compared to RTDs or Thermocouples. Response
time is generally faster than RTDs.

Figure 3: Thermistor with probe

Thermistor is generally composed of semiconductor materials. Most thermistors have negative

temperature coefficient (TC) which means resistance decreases with increasing temperature. The
negative TC can be as large as several percents per degree Celsius (%/°C), allowing the thermistor
circuit to detect minute changes in temperature, which could not be observed with an RTD, or
thermocouple circuit.

6
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

Thermistor has a semiconductor material which changes its electrical resistance as a function
of temperature. Extension wires used with thermistor can be plain copper wire. Thermistor offers
accuracy similar to RTD within narrow temperature ranges near to ambient temperature. It is
generally responses faster comparatively. Since thermistor standards vary, care must be taken to
match the instrumentation to the sensor. The resistance-temperature relationship of a thermistor is
negative and highly nonlinear. Thermistor is usually designated in accordance with it's resistance at
25°C.

2.5 Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)

A typical RTD as shows in figure 4 consists of a fine platinum wire wrapped around a mandrel
and covered with a protective coating. Usually, the mandrel and coating is glass or ceramic.
Depositing can also make the platinum as a film on a substitute and then encapsulating it. RTD is
wire wound and thin film device that work on the physical principle of the temperature coefficient or
electrical resistance of metals.

Figure 4: RTD with probe

The electrical resistance of the RTD changes as a function of temperature. Circuitry similar to
Wheat stone bridge is built into control designed for use with RTD. Constant current into the bridge
produces an output voltage that varies with temperature. Lead wire resistance can significantly affect
the RTD measurement. This is typically corrected using a third (compensating) lead wire.

7
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

RTD is nearly linear over a wide range of temperatures and can be made small enough to
have response times of a fraction of a second. The classical resistance temperature detector (RTD)
construction using platinum was proposed by C.H.Meyers in 1932. This requires an electrical current
to produce a voltage drop across the sensor that can be then measured by a calibrated read-out
device.

2.6 The Bimetallic Thermometer

The bimetallic thermometer as shows in figure 5 uses a bimetal, which is composed of two
types of metals with different thermal coefficients of expansion and they are wound into a helical form,
change according to temperature is transmitted to the indicator. This thermometer is simple in
construction and reasonably priced.

Figure 5: Bimetallic Thermometer

8
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

3. COMPONENT AND EQUIPMENT

Figure 6: Temperature Measurement Bench

Equipment apparatus : Quantity Equipment apparatus : Quantity
• Vacuum flask. 1 • Thermocouples Type K & lead 1
• Water heater jug 1 wires
• Digital resistance /mV indicator 1 • Mercury in glass thermometers:-5 1
• Direct reading digital temperature 1 to 105 Deg C
indicator for use with 1 • Mercury in glass thermometers:- - 1
thermocouple 5 to 360 Deg C
• Thermistor • Platinum resistance thermometer 1
• Vapor pressure thermometer 1 • Bimetallic temperature indicator: 1
• Wet and dry bulb thermometer 1 0-400 Deg C.

Equipment Note
This Temperature Measurement Bench (Model: HE 151) has been designed to demonstrate the
fundamental temperature measuring techniques using thermocouples, mercury in glass thermometer,
resistance temperature detector (RTD), thermistor, bimetallic temperature indicator and etc.
Temperature measurement is used to measure air temperature, boiling water temperature, ice-point
temperature and wet or dry bulb temperature. Temperature can be measured via a various ranges of
sensors. All of these sensors infer temperature by sensing changes in physical characteristics.

9
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

4. PROCEDURE

PART 1 : Ambient air temperature measurement

No. Procedure
1. Take out the mercury-glass thermometer, close inspection will reveal a column of mercury
protrude from the bulb. Temperature measurement is achieved by relating the length of
this column to an engraved scale on the glass. Read the temperature indicated by the
column at ambient air temperature.
2. Take out the bi-metal thermometer, close inspection will reveal a metal rod at the end of
the indicator. Temperature measurement is achieved by transferring heat to the metal rod.
3. Take out a Type K thermocouple. Connect the blue and yellow plugs to the corresponding
sockets of the Type K thermocouple temperature indicator. Place the thermocouple on the
baseboard and allow the readings to stabilize at the ambient air temperature. Read the
temperature indicated on the temperature indicator.
4. Take out a resistance temperature detector (RTD). Connect the RTD plugs to the
corresponding sockets of the RTD indicator. Place the RTD on the baseboard and allow
the readings to stabilize at the ambient air temperature. Read the temperature indicated on
the RTD temperature indicator.
5. Take out a thermistor. Connect the thermistor plugs to the corresponding sockets of the
thermistor indicator. Place the thermistor on the baseboard and allow the readings to
stabilize at the ambient air temperature. Read the temperature indicated on the thermistor
indicator.
6. Take out the vapor pressure thermometer. Place the vapor pressure thermometer on the
baseboard and allow the readings to stabilize at the ambient air temperature. Read the
temperature indicated on the indicator

10
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

PART 2 : Ice-point temperature measurement

No. Procedure
1. Half fill the vacuum flask with a mixture of crushed ice and pure water
2. Insert the bulb of the thermometer into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure
intimate contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the thermometer.
3. Insert the metal rod of the bi-metal thermometer into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to
ensure intimate contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the bimetallic
temperature indicator.
4. Insert the thermocouple probe into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure intimate
contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the thermocouple temperature indicator
5. Insert the RTD probe into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure intimate contact with
the mixture. Observe the reading on the RTD temperature indicator.
6. Insert the thermistor probe into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure intimate
contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the thermistor temperature indicator.
7. Insert the metal rod of the vapor pressure indicator into the water- ice mixture; stir gently
to ensure intimate contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the indicator.

11
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

PART 3 : Boiling-point temperature measurement

No. Procedure
1. Half fill the water heater jug with clean water and connect the power cord.
2. Swicth ‘ON’ the water heater jug. wait until water is boil .
Be careful to the hot water.
3. Insert the bulb of the thermometer into boiling water. Observe the reading on the
thermometer.
4. Insert the metal rod of the bimetalic indicator into boiling water. Observe the reading on the
bimetallic indicator.
5. Insert the thermocouple probe into boiling water. Observe the reading on the temperature
indicator.
6. Insert the RTD probe into boiling water. Observe the reading on the resistance indicator.
7. Insert the thermistor probe into boiling water. Observe the reading on the thermistor
indicator.
8. Insert the metal rod of the vapor pressure indicator into boiling water. Observe the reading
on the thermometer.

12
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

5. RESULTS

PART 1 : Ambient air temperature measurement

No. Temperature device ºC
1. Mercury-glass thermometer
2. Bi-metal thermometer
3. Thermocouple Probe (type K)
4. RTD probe
5. Thermistor probe
6. Vapor pressure indicator rod

PART 2 : Ice-point temperature measurement

No. Temperature device ºC
1. Mercury-glass thermometer
2. Bi-metal thermometer
3. Thermocouple probe (type K)
4. RTD probe
5. Thermistor probe
6. Vapor pressure indicator rod

PART 3 : Boiling-point temperature measurement

No. Temperature device ºC
1. Mercury-glass thermometer
2. Bi-metal thermometer
3. Thermocouple probe (type K)
4. RTD probe
5. Thermistor probe
6. Vapor pressure indicator rod

13
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

6. DISCUSSION/ EVALUATION AND QUESTIONS

6.1 Discuss experimental results. You may use below guidelines:

(Include a discussion on the result noting trends in measured data, and comparing measurements with theoretical predictions when
possible. Include the physical interpretation of the results and graphs, the reasons on deviations of your findings from expected results, your
recommendations on further experimentation for verifying your results, and your findings)

6.2 Why there are differences in temperature readings among measurement devices?.

6.3 Which device gives the fast response during taken measurement?

6.4 To continuously measure temperature in 24 hours within 200 meter distance which device
could you propose and why?

6.5 From you own reading, give the temperature measurement device that could be used to
measure melted aluminium which having temperature > 400°C.

14
THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY MODULE

7. CONCLUSION
Based on data and discussion, make your overall conclusion by referring to experiment objective.

15