Pyro Meter

PYROMETER
A pyrometer is a type of remote-sensing thermometer used to measure the temperature of a

surface. Various forms of pyrometers have historically existed. In the modern usage, it is a
device that from a distance determines the temperature of a surface from the amount of
the thermal radiation it emits, a process known as pyrometer and sometimes radiometry.
Types of Pyrometers
Pyrometers can be broadly classified into two categories - optical pyrometers and infrared /
radiation pyrometers.
 Optical pyrometers:
They are designed for measuring thermal radiation in the visible spectrum. They measure
the temperature of extremely hot objects based on the color of the visible light they emit.
It has the capability to perform visual comparison between a calibrated light source and
the targeted surface. When the temperature of the filament and the target match, their
thermal radiation intensity will also match causing the filament to become almost
invisible as it merges into the targeted surface in the background. Once this happens, the
current passing via the filament can be converted into a temperature reading.
 Infrared / radiation pyrometers:
These measure the temperature of an object from the radiation emitted by the object.
They can handle thermal radiation in the infrared region usually 2 ~ 14 µm (80 ~ 550
µin). The radiation is directed at a thermocouple, which is capable of producing an
electric current when it is partly heated. The thermocouple will generate a higher current
according to the heat emitted. The current operates a dial that displays the temperature.
These pyrometers are made from pyroelectric materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride
(PVDF), triglisine sulfate (TGS), and lithium tantalate (LiTaO3).
Working Principle
Radiation is emitted by every object with a temperature that goes beyond absolute zero (-
273.15°C). This radiation is referred to as infrared as a majority of the radiation falls within the
region above the visible red light in the electro-magnetic spectrum.
Radiated energy is useful in determining temperature of the body being measured. This heat
energy is received by a detecting device and transformed into electric signals.
Applications
The following are some of the key application areas of pyrometers:
 In metallurgy
 Smelter industry
 Hot air balloons and steam boilers
 Measuring temperatures of liquid metals or highly heated materials
 Measuring furnace temperatures.
Construction of Optical Pyrometer

The construction of the optical pyrometer is quite simple. The pyrometer is cylindrical inside
which the lens is placed on one end and the eyepiece on the other end. The lamp is kept between
the eyepiece and the lens. The filter is placed in front of the eyepiece. The filter helps in getting
the monochromatic light. The lamp has the filament which is connected to the battery, ammeter
and the rheostat.
Working of Optical Pyrometer

The optical pyrometer is shown in the figure below. It consists the lens which focuses the radiated
energy from the heated object and targets it on the electric filament lamp. The intensity of the
filament depends on the current passes through it. Hence the adjustable current is passed through the
lamp.
The magnitude of the current is adjusted until the brightness of the filament is similar to the
brightness of the object. When the brightness of the filament and the brightness of the object are
same, then the outline of the filament is completely disappeared.
The filament looks bright when their temperature is more than the temperature of the source.
The filament looks dark if their temperature is less than that required for equal brightness
Radiation Pyrometers
A pyrometer is any temperature-measuring device that includes a sensor and a readout. However, in
this section we will discuss only radiation type pyrometers. A radiation pyrometer is a noncontact
temperature sensor that infers the temperature of an object by detecting its naturally emitted thermal
radiation. An optical system collects the visible and infrared energy from an object and focuses it on a
detector, as shown in Figure 7-21. The detector converts the collected energy into an electrical
signal to drive a temperature display or control unit.
The detector receives the photon energy from the optical system and converts it into an electrical signal. Two types
of detectors are used: thermal (thermopile) and photon (photomultiplier tubes). Photon detectors are much faster
than the thermopile type. This enables you to use the photon type for measuring the temperature of small objects
moving at high speed.
Radiation pyrometers are used to measure the temperature of very hot objects without being in contact with them.
Molten glass and molten metals during smelting and forming operations are typical of the objects they measure. In
selecting the correct radiation pyrometer for an application you must consider several factors. In either narrow or
wide fields of view, the cross-sectional area can vary greatly. It can be rectangular, circular, and slot shaped,
depending on the kind of apertures used in the instrument. In some instruments, a telescopic eye magnifies the
radiant energy so much smaller objects at longer distances can be measured. Hot objects as small as 1/16 inch in
diameter can be measured with some instruments.
The construction of the instrument components, such as the lens and curved mirrors, control the sight path. The
materials of construction determine the optical characteristics of the device. For example, glass does not transmit
light well beyond 2.5 microns. It is therefore suitable only for high-temperature applications where high-energy
outputs are present. Other common optical materials are quartz (transmitting well to 4 microns) and crystalline
calcium fluoride (transmitting well up to about 10 microns). Band pass filters are used in some instruments to cut
off unwanted light at certain wavelengths.
Advantages of Optical Pyrometer
 The optical pyrometer has high accuracy.
 The temperature is measured without contacting the heated body. Because of this property, the
pyrometer is used for the number of applications.

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PYROMETER

A pyrometer is a type of remote-sensing thermometer used to measure the temperature of a

 Infrared / radiation pyrometers:

Construction of Optical Pyrometer

Working of Optical Pyrometer

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