Measuring temperature is an essential factor in the overall operation of a power generation facility, particularly due to its direct connection to safety and potential system failures
As a leader in the design and manufacturing of industrial temperature measurement devices, Temp-Pro has been delivering customized solutions that deliver beyond the core needs of our customers. Case in point, the proper design, manufacturing and installation of a temperature measurement device—such as RTDS or thermocouples in power generation—can ensure the proper operation and gas and steam temperature measurement in power plants by maintaining awareness of the heat factor affecting gas or steam turbines.
Among the main threats to power plants are the failure to properly measure as a result of electrical factors, as well as instability, conduction errors or nonlinearity. Such threats can lead to major malfunctions and equipment failure, which would otherwise be prevented with properly designed heat measuring devices.
Temp-Pro’s knowledge of temperature dynamics in industrial sites, such as power plants or IPPs, can support business continuity and operational uptime—largely by working with managers, engineers and other technical staff who depend on a strong field-level understanding of how these temperature measurement instruments in power plants play a role in their overall management strategy.
Temperature Measurement in Power Plants
The primary temperature measurement device for industrial power plants is RTDs (resistance temperature detectors) or T/Cs (thermocouples), which are designed to emit an mV alert when these devices sense a change in temperature. An RTD is usually composed of a certain wire length inserted within a glass or even ceramic enclosure, which is coupled to a probe. RTDs are typically made of a variety of pure and highly sensitive elements, such as copper, nickel, or platinum.
Both RTDs and thermocouples can be installed on a surface or within a thermowell, which in turn serves as a buffer or protection from corrosion or high pressure. And if that’s not enough, a thermowell allows for the sensing elements to be removed and replaced.
The use of RTDs is mostly driven by the need to ensure repetitive and accurate measurement, with accuracies to one tenth of a degree Celsius—and up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, this type of device can be considered rather fragile, which in turn does not make it ideal for environments with extreme temperatures or high vibration, unlike thermocouples, which can handle a harsher environment and pressures.
We will cover thermocouples in more detail on the next blog article but know that consulting with Temp-Pro can ensure the proper specification of temperature measurement devices—allowing us to work jointly in determining the need for an RTD or thermocouple. Our knowledge and experience yield a level of insight that is highly valued by our customers, ensuring a reduction of risks associated with the selection of temperature measurement devices.
Our goal is simple: to deliver excellence in industrial temperature measurement, so you can focus on operating your equipment and can depend on the effective monitoring of temperature changes to avoid potential equipment malfunction or preventable catastrophic events.
Trust Temp-Pro to deliver the right solution for your power plant’s temperature measurement needs. Contact us today at 800-991-9093 for more information or to evaluate your current RTD or thermocouple specs.
Neal Messier is a dedicated sales manager at Temp-Pro. With 17+ years of experience working with instrumentation in diverse industrial and process industries particularly power generation, he is passionate about the temperature sensor industry and uses his strong technical background and comprehensive industry knowledge to fulfill client’s temperature sensor needs.
Nicole Chotain is a passionate marketing and sales specialist in the temperature sensor industry who finds it incredibly fulfilling to be involved in marketing and selling crucial components used in power generation and renewable energy. She takes great joy in creating remarkable campaigns, forging meaningful connections between Temp-Pro and its customers, and driving the growth of the brand.
