Thermowells by Thermo-Kinetics come in various designs, materials, and customizations

Various models of thermowells are available.

Thermo-Kinetics Measurement & Control Ltd. has many industrial instruments under its own brand name, including various thermowells. These test and measurement devices are usually used with thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), and bimetal thermometers in applications that necessitate measuring temperature at pressures above 75 psig or in hostile environments.

Isolation is another common application for which these thermowells are used, so workers can replace sensors without needing to shut down processes.

Thermowells are machined from solid barstock, and safe working pressures depend on the well material, operating temperature, and velocity of the flowing medium. Thermo-Kinetics offers a full range of standard tapered, straight, and reduced-tip thermowells to suit a broad variety of applications, as well as flanged, socket weld, van stone, ground joint, and weld-in models. To meet unique needs, customers can request special thermowells in various materials, sheaths, and coatings.

Used in many process applications, tapered wells offer higher strength, quicker response times, and more vibration resistance than straight wells do. The taper provides a higher natural frequency that enables use at higher liquid velocity, while the reduced tip on a straight well boosts response time when used with an RTD, bimetal thermometer, or other length-sensitive sensors. Thermowells more likely fail from vibratory stress than from temperature or pressure effects. Customers can use ASME calculations to determine if the dimensions of a unit can withstand the specific temperature, pressure, velocity, and vibration service conditions.

Protected by tantalum sheaths

Tantalum sheaths protect thermowells in chlorine, bromine, hydrochloric, nitric, and sulphuric acids and other corrosive processes. The material’s high thermal conductivity and the sheath’s thin-wall design enable fast heat transfer. These sheaths are most suitable for thermowells immersed directly into the process: they cover the wet parts of the instruments and must be ordered with them to ensure proper fittings.

Users can improve chemical corrosion resistance by adding a fluoroplastic protective coating, like Teflon, to the thermowell. Teflon is perfect for highly corrosive tasks in acid, caustics, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Other coating options include Kynar, Hastelloy C, tungsten carbide, and chrome oxide.

For more information, contact Thermo-Kinetics or call 1-800-268-0967.

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