Multi-Thermocouple Probes for Temperature Prediction in the Process Industries

In short-cycle batch production processes difficulties are experienced in the direct measurement of temperature in high-viscosity fluid mixing environments. There is often a need to penetrate high shear flows with the sensor to ensure that measurements representative of bulk temperature are obtained. Significant measurement errors are experienced due to the temperature differential between the bulk of the fluid and the surface of the probe. The resulting strength requirements of probe supporting structures also contribute errors as a result of additional heat capacity and additional heat conduction paths from the sensors. This paper presents research towards the design of a multi-sensor probe integrated with computational algorithms devised to reduce these effects. Initial trials demonstrate that such schemes can be applied to reduce steady state errors and to improve response times over existing measuring devices.