DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : K.Ravinder
Designation : H.E.I.E.S
Branch : AEIE.
Institute : GPT Bellampally.
Year/semester : III Semester
Subject : Process Instrumentation-I
Subject code : AEI-305.
Topic : Temperature measurement
Duration : 50 min.
Sub topic : Optical Pyrometer
Teaching aids : PPT, Diagrams

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 Objectives

On completion of this topic you would

be able to know

Optical Pyrometer
• Principle of operation
• Construction
• Range of temperature
• Advantages & Disadvantage

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 Range of Temperature

• Optical pyrometer accurately measure the temperature

between 600 °C - 3000 °C

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 Principle

• Optical pyrometer makes use of change of color of a hot

body and interpret this phenomenon in terms of

temperature

• The actual temperature is based up on the determination

of the variation of in the color of the object

• And comparing it with the known values generated with a

heated filament.
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When body is heated &its color changes

from Dark Red

Orange

White

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Industrial pyrometer

Fig 1
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Optical pyrometer schematic diagram

Fig 2
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 Construction of Optical pyrometer

• An optical pyrometer consists of an incandescent

lamp filament .
• Filament is used as the reference source of radiation.
• Filament is arranged in the field of vision of a
telescope through which both it and the hot body, are
viewed simultaneously.
• The filament is heated by 2V battery in series with a
rheostat by which the temperature of the filament is
adjusted.

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• This filament is connected in one arm of a wheat stone
bridge-circuit across which is connected a moving coil
galvanometer.
• The electrical resistance of the lamp filament varies in
accordance with its temperature.
• while the resistance in other arms of the bridge are of a
material, the ohmic value of which does not alter with
change of temperature.
• An absorption screen is used between the object and
the filament that reduces the intensity of the radiation
from the object reading the filament.
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• A monochromatic red screen is fitted to the eye piece so
that it may be brought into the field of vision.

• Its function is to eliminate color differences between the

and hot body

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 Operation

• The temperature of the filament is increased the bridge

is progressively thrown out of the balance

• The degree of unbalance is shown by the magnitude of

the galvanometer deflection

• galvanometer deflection is calibrated in terms of

temperature

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• The hot object is viewed through the telescope when the
filament first appears as a dark line against the glowing
background, as shown at ‘A’ in the figure.
• On rotating the rheostat the temperature of the filament
is progressively increased until the visible radiation
matches that of the hot object.
• At this condition tip of the filament becomes invisible
against the background as shown at ‘B’.

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The disappearing filament

Fig 3

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• When this stage is reached, the temperature can be read

from the galvanometer

• The rheostat is not moved after the temperature match is

obtained .

• The temperature of the filament is higher than the hot

object the filament appear too Bright n against the

background as shown at ‘C’ in Fig.

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 Advantages

• It possess flexibility, portability and is convenient for use.

• It is in light in weight .
• It is useful for monitoring the temperature of moving
objects and distant objects.
• It is useful for high temperatures.
• It has a good accuracy.
• Very useful for checking and calibrating of radiation
pyrometer
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 Disadvantages

• It is not useful for measuring the temperatures of clean

burning that do not radiate visible energy.

• It is not suitable for recording and controlling

• It is relatively expensive.

• It is prone to human errors caused by operator

adjustment of temperature dial.

• It is subjected to emissivity errors.

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 Summary

We have discussed about

Optical Pyrometer
• Principle of operation

• Construction

• Range of temperature

• Advantages & Disadvantage

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 Quiz

1. Optical pyrometers

• Can measure the temperature of any clean

burning gas

• Can measure the temperature of down to 80oc

• Can monitor the temperature of moving object

• None of the above.

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 Quiz

1. Optical pyrometers can measure the

temperature ranging

a. 600-3000°c

b. 300-600°c

c. 150-350°c

d. 100-1200°c

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 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Describe the operation of Optical pyrometers

2. List the advantages and disadvantages of Optical

pyrometers

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