Thermocouple Lab Essay

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NC STATE UNIVERSITY Mechanical Engineering Systems MES 305 Dr. Bill Fortney Temperature Measurements using Thermocouples Full report format Laine Johnson Aaron Burge Lab completed June 20, 2011 Introduction The purpose of this lab was to demonstrate the measurement of liquid temperatures using thermocouples, the most common method of measuring and controlling temperatures. We watched a pre-lab video that explained the definition of a thermocouple (a junction between 2 dissimilar metals). Then the video introduced the Seebek effect, the Peltier effect, the Thomas effect and the Law of Intermediate Temperatures. During the lab we used thermocouples to demonstrate each of these effects and the Law of Intermediate Temperatures. Thermocouples are suitable for measuring over a large temperature range, up to 2300℃. They are not suited for instruments that need highly precise and accurate measurements. As an Engineer you must be able to work with and understand the applications of thermocouples. Here is a list of applications that are well suited for the use of thermocouples: kilns, gas turbine exhaust, diesel engines and many gas-fed heating appliances (ovens and water heaters that make use of a pilot flame to ignite the main gas burner). Relevant Theory When working with thermocouples you will need to know the 3 effects and the laws pertaining to the thermocouple. 1) The Seebek effect showed that a thermocouple produced a voltage potential (or emf), measured in millivolts, in the wire which in turn caused a temperature difference. There is a reproducible relationship between the emf and the temperatures (T1 and T2). Seebek effect ∝AB = [∂emf∂T]opencircuit Equation #1 Where A and B refer to the two

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