Optical Pyrometer
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agrajsingh04Optical Pyrometer
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agrajsingh04What is an Optical Pyrometer: Construction, Working & Its Applications
A pyrometer is a noncontact device and it is also known as a radiation thermometer. The main
function of this instrument is to detect the surface temperature of an object by measuring the
temperature of the electromagnetic radiation generated from the object. So, thermal radiation
can be measured by using this non-conductive device. By using this, we can determine the
temperature of the surface of the object. There are different types of pyrometers available in
the market like infrared and optical pyrometers.
Definition: A temperature measuring device that is used to measure the temperature of molten
metal, overheated material, furnaces otherwise liquids. It is one kind of measuring device
of temperature with a non-contact. The working principle of this optical pyrometer is to match
the object’s brightness of the filament within the device. By using contact-type instruments,
measuring the temperature of the highly heated body is not possible. So, this non-contact type
device is used to measure the temperature. The optical pyrometer diagram is shown below.
Optical Pyrometer Construction
The shape of the pyrometer is cylindrical and the inside parts of the optical pyrometer mainly
include an eyepiece, power source, absorption screen, and red filter.
• An eyepiece and the lens of an object are arranged on both sides of the device.
• A battery, millivoltmeter & rheostat are connected to a temperature bulb.
• An absorption screen is arranged in the middle of the reference temperature lamp
and the objective lens to increase the temperature range and this range can be
measured with the help of the device.
• The red filter is placed in between the lamp and eyepiece so that the lamp allows
simply a narrow band with 0.65mui wavelength.
Operating Principle
In an optical pyrometer, the temperature measurement principle is used by comparing the
brightness. A color disparity with the increase in temperature can be taken as an index of the
temperature. This type of pyrometer contrasts the intensity of the generated image through a
source of the temperature of the lamp. The current within the lamp is regulated until the lamp’s
brightness is equivalent to the image brightness generated through the source of temperature.
When the light intensity of any wavelength depends on the temperature of the radiating object,
then the flow of current through the lamp becomes a measure of the temperature source when
adjusted.
Optical Pyrometer Working
The optical pyrometer diagram is shown below. It includes the lens to focus on the generated
energy from the heated object and aims at the filament of the lamp. The filament in
the lamp mainly depends on the flow of current through it. Therefore, the changeable current
can be supplied throughout the lamp. The magnitude of the flow of current can be changed
until the filament’s intensity is similar to the intensity of the object. As the intensity of both the
filament and object are the same, then the filament outline can vanish completely.
The filament in the bulb seems intense as its temperature is higher compared with the
temperature of the source. Similarly, the filament seems dim if its temperature is lower than
that necessary for equivalent brightness.
Optical Pyrometer Advantages
The advantages of this pyrometer include the following.
• It is used for high temperatures.
• It is used to check distant objects as well as move the object’s temperature.
• Accuracy
• It can be measured without connecting with the target.
• Less weight
• It is flexible and portable.
Optical Pyrometer Disadvantages
The disadvantages of this pyrometer include the following.
• Due to the radiation of the thermal background, dust, and smoke, the accuracy of
this device can be affected.
• These do not apply to the temperature measuring of burning gases because they do
not emit visible energy.
• It is expensive.
• Manual-type pyrometers are not suitable for evaluating the object’s temperature
under 8000C because, at less temperature, the generated energy will be too low.
Applications
The applications of optical pyrometers include the following.
• It is used to measure the temperature of highly heated materials
• It is useful to measure furnace temperatures.
• It is used in critical process measurements of semiconductors, medical, induction
heat treating, crystal growth, furnace control, glass manufacture, medical, etc.