Wake Freuency ASME-Ver-2-1-03
Wake Freuency ASME-Ver-2-1-03
Wake Freuency ASME-Ver-2-1-03
When fluid flows past a thermowell, low pressure vortices are formed in the wake downstream of the well.
These vortices shed from alternate sides of the well and the resulting differential pressure produces two
periodic forces on the thermowell:
Vortex shedding can occur at frequencies from 50Hz to 1500Hz. The vortex shedding frequency (Strouhal
Frequency) increases linearly with fluid velocity, but the forces increase with the square of the velocity. When
the Strouhal Frequency approaches the natural frequency of the thermowell, it can lock-in to the natural
frequency causing resonance, with greatly magnified forces. To prevent lock-in, the natural frequency of the
thermowell must be higher than either the in-line or the transverse resonance condition. Operation through the
in-line resonance is acceptable only if the cyclic stresses at the resonance condition are acceptably small.
The fluid velocity at which resonance occurs is referred to as a velocity critical. There are two velocity criticals
for each natural frequency of the thermowell: one describing the transverse and the other describing the in-line
response. Since in-line force fluctuates at twice the frequency of the transverse force, the corresponding
velocity critical is approximately one half that requires for transverse resonance. If the natural frequency of the
thermowell overlaps either fs or 2fs, a large resonant buildup in vibration amplitude can occur. The major
cause of thermowell failure is fatigue due to resonance. A high enough level of damping may allow the
thermowell to operate at the in-line or even the transverse resonance frequencies.
In addition to frequency limits, the stresses within the thermowell and forces applied are also critical to
evaluating the suitability of a thermowell for a specific process application. The 4 quantitative criteria to be
evaluated are:
1: Frequency Limit:
Resonant frequency of the thermowell must be sufficiently high so that destructive oscillations are not
excited by the fluid flow. The steady-state (s-s) fluid velocity should meet one of the following
conditions:
Frequency Limit
In cases where the thermowell passes the cyclic stress condition for operation at the in-line
resonance condition, care shall still be taken that in steady state the flow condition will not coincide
with the thermowell resonance. The steady-state fluid velcoity should meet one of the following
conditions: fs(s-s) < 0.4fn OR 0.6fn < fs(s-s) < 0.8fn
Not Addressed
Interaction of multiple thermowells in close proximity
In-coherent excitation of structural vibrations by broad-band high frequency turbulence.
Vibration due to pulsed fluid flow
Construction not conforming to the above dimensional limits.
NOTES
Clear fields if info not available or not applicable
If Fluid Velocity unknown, leave blank and fill in Flow Rate & Pipe ID
Flanged wells are assumed to have full penetration welds
Sensor mass correction factor used = .96 (≡ 169lb/ft3)
Allowable external pressure calculated per 6-13 of PTC 19.31
Bore size limited to 0.26"; reduced tip diam to 0.5"
When Steam, Water or Air selected as fluid, density & viscosity
are calculated if the fields are left blank.
DISCLAIMER
These calculations are performed in accordance with PTC 19.3 TW-2010. The results should only be used as
a guide for thermowell selection. Thermo-Kinetics assumes no responsibility for failure of a thermowell based
the results of these calculations, and accepts no liability directly or consequential arising from error or
misinformation supplied herein, or due to program missuse.
Thermowell Velocity Calculations
TW-2016 Ver 2.1.03
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THERMO-KINETICS 1-800-268-0967
THERMO-KINETICS 1-800-268-0967
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