Experiment No.

1 Calibration of Thermometers Date Performed: January 17, 2012 Date Completed: January 17, 2012

Submitted by Group No. 1 Group Leader: LO, Brian F. Group Members: CO, Lizette Milaney P. MANALO, Alyssa Mara C. MULINGTAPANG, Justinn Donn S. EA2

Submitted to Dr. Michael Angelo B. Promentilla

February 1, 2012

I. Objectives A. To familiarized with the different temperature measuring device, such as Mercury Thermometer, Dial Thermometer and Thermocouple, in terms of how it works and how to properly use it. B. To be knowledgeable in the calibration of these thermometers utilizing a block calibrator and as well as using the physical properties of water specifically the temperature of ice and boiling temperature. C. To be able to derive a calibration equation for thermocouple.

II. Theory / Literature Review Temperature quantitatively indicates the degree of hotness or coldness of a certain body. A change in temperature is directly proportional to that in kinetic energy since it brings about an increase in movement and the frequency of intramolecular and intermolecular collisions. To measure such property, different types of thermometers can be used. To name a few, the expansion thermometer shows temperature changes when there is a change in volume; electrical resistance thermometer, change in electrical resistance of the conductor; thermocouples, change in voltage; and optical pyrometer, change in luminosity or brightness. The temperature in a thermometer is known through looking at the scale. The scale present is a standard and it is based on the change in the thermal energy content that is proportional to the change in pressure of hydrogen at constant mass and volume. A reading can be made based on two points, the reference point (or ice point), from which the reading is based and the second standard point (or steam point). The ice point is different from the freezing point. It is the temperature where solid and liquid water may coexist in equilibrium. On the other hand, the steam point is the temperature where pure water is boiling. Both the ice and steam point occur under the standard atmospheric pressure. According to the International Standards organization (ISO) has developed a number of standards specifically directed to calibration of measurement devices. Calibration entails the adjustment of measurement of a certain device to agree with the value from the standard. Moreover, specific calibration is only done for a certain device. In calibration of temperature measuring device, the constant volume gas thermometer is an apparatus that measures temperature upon variations in the pressure at constant volume. The hydrogen gas is the basis for the standard and other important values of temperature.

III. Setup A. Actual Setup

Steam Bath Setup

Ice Bath Setup

Mercury Thermometers and Dial Thermometer immersed in a heated beaker with water

Block Calibrator

B. Engineering Sketch

Steam Bath Setup

Ice Bath Setup

Mercury Thermometers and Dial Thermometer immersed in a heated beaker with water

Block Calibrator

IV. Summary of Procedures In calibrating temperature measuring devices, the behavior of mercury thermometers was first observed through measuring the temperature of ice and the boiling point of water. With these physical properties of water, three mercury thermometers and dial thermometer was also observed on the basis of thermocouple. Lastly, thermocouple and one of the mercury thermometers was observed on the basis of block calibrator. As for the first part of the experiment, ice bath was prepared. The initial reading of each mercury thermometer was first recorded before the thermometers were placed through the holes on top of the ice bath and were lowered until the bulb is near the bottom. In this way, errors were prevented since the surface temperature of the container somehow differs from ice temperature. At this setup, temperature was recorded with time until it reaches a constant value. Errors from each temperature were calculated by comparing to the theoretical ice temperature of zero degrees centigrade. These were repeated for thermocouple and dial thermometers. For measuring the boiling point of water, a steam bath was prepared. Same procedure was done on the ice bath except that the bulb of the mercury temperature was not submerged in the water as it would automatically shoot the mercury up the cylinder and explode. Each values recorded were also compared with the theoretical value of one hundred degrees centigrade. To graphically discern the behavior of the thermometers, a linear equation was derived by plotting the temperature as a function of length. Moreover, through the percentage errors calculated, the reliability of each instrument was compared. This was followed by measuring the temperature of water using the three mercury thermometers, dial thermometers and thermocouple simultaneously. The temperature for each instrument was, then, recorded with every five degrees increment. As it reaches boiling point, the readings were then recorded for every decrement of five degrees centigrade until it has reached room temperature. The values recorded were tabulated and graphed for comparison. At the same time, errors with respect to the value entered by the thermocouple were observed and graphed as a function of temperature. In utilizing block calibrator, same method was used except that this time the thermometer and thermocouple is calibrated. With the values obtained, a calibration equation was derived for thermocouple and was tested with the temperature provided by the block calibrator. V. Data Table 1. Temperature of Ice

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Table 2. Boiling Point of Water

Table 3. Total Mercury Thermometer Length

Table 4. Mercury Thermometer Scale Calibration

Table 5. Comparison of Temperature Reading from the Three Mercury Thermometers and Dial Thermometer with the Basis on Thermocouple (Heating in 0C)

Table 6. Comparison of Temperature Reading from the Three Mercury Thermometers and Dial Thermometer with the Basis on Thermocouple (Cooling in 0C)

Table 7. Block Calibrator Readings (0C)

VI. Results and Analysis The behavior of three different thermometers were observed through its markings and and its corresponding length. Table 3 shows the minimum and maximum possible readings provided by each thermometer as well as its total length it covers. Through simple calculations, the following linear equations were derived for each mercury thermometer by utilizing the values recorded in Table 3. ( ( ( ) ) )

On the other hand, Table 4 shows the ice temperature and boiling point of water. Linear Equations were also obtained; however, minute differences can be observed from its slope which could be due to minor errors in measuring the length between the markings. ( ( ( ) ) )

It can be seen that the three different thermometers have different calibrations or intervals for every degree centigrade. These equations can be utilized in order to get accurate and precise readings by entering the length covered starting either from the measured ice temperature to the current reading or from the lowest reading of the thermometer to the current reading. Also, it must be noted that all equations are true only for these thermometers and must not be interchange or use for other thermometers. To check the accuracy of thermometers in measuring temperature, percent errors, which are tabulated below, were calculated through the given theoretical values.

Table 8. Theoretical Values for Ice and Boiling Temperature

Table 9. Percent Error for Ice Temperature

Table 10. Percent Error for Boiling Temperature

With the given data above, minute deviations from the theoretical values were observed for measuring ice temperature compared with boiling temperature values. The differences in errors for measuring both physical properties of water also show the differences of calibrations of each thermometer. Some errors could be induced as to how each instrument was positioned in the ice bath or steam bath since heat transfer is a function of position. Among the instruments used, Thermometer 1 provides a more accurate value basing on the theoretical values obtained. On the same basis, thermocouple provides the least accuracy. To provide a clearer view of deviations for each temperature measuring devices, Table 5 and 6 shows the recorded temperature for heating and cooling water for the three mercury thermometers and dial thermometer while having a basis on the temperature provided by the thermocouple. A parity chart was developed for the four instruments as shown below.

Thermometer 1 (0C)
120 100 80 60 40 20 Cooling Heating

0
0 5 10 15 20

Thermometer 2 (0C)
120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 5 10 15 20

Cooling
Heating

Thermometer 3 (0C)
120 100

80
60 40 20 0 0 5 10 15 20 Cooling Heating

Dial Thermometer (0C)

120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 5 10 15 20 Cooling Heating

Comparison of Temperature Reading (Heating 0C)

120 Thermocouple Mercury Thermometer 1 80 Mercury Thermometer 2 Mercury Thermometer 3

100

60

Dial Thermometer Linear (Thermocouple)

40

Linear (Mercury Thermometer 1) Poly. (Mercury Thermometer 2)

20

Poly. (Mercury Thermometer 3) Poly. (Dial Thermometer)

0 0 5 10 15 20

Thermometer 1 and 2 almost achieved consistency in measuring heating and cooling temperatures. Thermometer 3 has one value deviated from its trend which evidently has made mistake in recording the temperature. On the other hand, dial thermometer changed in recording temperatures but it did not deviate significant differences. Moreover, using the plotted values of the temperature recorded in heating water, it can be said that Dial Thermometer has the closest value with respect to the readings of thermocouple. However, this does not say that Dial thermometer has the most accuracy due to the fact that thermocouple could have temperatures dissimilar with the standard measurement of the block calibrator. Percent errors were compared and determined with the temperature values of thermocouple. These were graphed with temperature as shown below to magnify the errors induced for every measurement recorded.

Thermometer 1 (0C)
25.00 20.00 % Error 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 0 50 100 150 Temperature % Error

Thermometer 2 (0C)
20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 0 50 100 150 Temperature

Thermometer 3 (0C)
20.00 % Error % Error 0 50 100 150 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 Temperature

Dial Thermometer (0C)

25.00

20.00 15.00 10.00

5.00 0.00

50

100

150

Temperature

From the graphs obtained, all instruments starting from the reading of a room temperature produce smaller error as temperature increases. In using a block calibrator, both thermometer 2 and thermocouple were compared by the graph below. At the same time percent error was recorded with reference to the block calibrator. These were plotted against temperature with the same purpose of observing the trend of error for every temperature measurement.

Comparison of Temperature Reading (Heating 0C)

180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 5 10 15 Linear (Mercury Thermometer 2) Linear (Block Calibrator) Thermocouple Mercury Thermometer 2 Block Calibrator

Linear (Thermocouple)

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Thermometer 2 (0C)
2.50 2.00 % Error % Error 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 0 50 100 Temperature 150 200

Thermocouple (0C)
10.00 8.00 6.00 4.00 2.00 0.00 0 50 100 150

y = -4E-10x6 + 3E-07x5 - 7E-05x4 + 0.0088x3 - 0.6175x2 + 22.305x 313.57 R = 0.9757

200

Temperature

Both readings from thermometer 2 and thermocouple are near to the values presented by the block calibrator. Thermocouple also shows a decrease in error as temperature rises. Moreover, thermometer 2 with notable small errors within the range of zero to two percent varies but somehow follows the increasing trend of error with every increase of temperature. A calibration equation was derived for thermocouple as shown which could be used to calibrate other instruments tested for this experiment. The equation derived is not that perfect or suitable graph for calibration. However, with equal to 0.9757, it can somehow make the calibration for thermocouple almost reach the same temperature reading with the block calibrator.

Testing this equation with sample points obtained and having x as the current temperature, error could still be depicted but much smaller compared with the previous reading. VII. Observations A. Both steam bath and ice bath are open systems due to the presence of holes at the topmost part of the container. This might incur small errors as open system could not be in equilibrium. B. Upon subjection of the thermometer to the steam bath, and regardless of the thermometer used, the temperature approached quickly than on the ice bath. C. It takes time to calibrate using block calibrator. D. Different thermometer has different calibrations. E. The thermocouple instantly reads the fixed temperature. However, it is the most unprecise temperature measuring device as it only gives whole number values. F. Although the thermometers registered different values of temperatures, the temperature change upon heating and cooling of the bath is almost the same for all thermometers.

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VIII. Conclusion and Recommendations The researchers were able to compare the usage of each temperature as well as the variations in the temperature values. It was also observed that a more precise way of determining the temperature for mercury thermometers is by utilizing temperature as a function of length. Using the block calibrator as the basis for calibration, an equation can be derived to make readings as accurate and precise as possible. Using the analysis of percent error, it can be observed that the whole experiment manage to control an error range of zero to fifteen percent. It can also be said that the experiment did not manage to obtain accurate and suitable calibration equation for thermocouple and linear equations with temperature as a function of length for mercury thermometers. However, the group was able to operate such equations in which small errors would be met. Also, the researchers were able to know and use other temperature measuring devices such as thermocouple and dial thermometer. This paper also helped the group in making a calibration equation. It was also observed and concluded that making use of calibration equation for a specific temperature measuring device is very important especially to operating industries as small change in the wanted temperature could lead to damage or disruption to some operations. To minimize the occurrence of errors in dealing with calibration, it is further recommended that more trials would be performed and that the researchers must be very careful, accurate and precise in recording data to alleviate source of error.

IX. Answers to Guide Questions 1.] What are the various units used in temperature measurements? State their origin and the equations to convert one to the other. Celsius (0C) It is named after the Swedish Astronomer, Anders Celsius. It was also known as centigrade from the latin centum which means 100 and gradus translated as steps. This is based on the freezing and boiling temperature of water. Fahrenheit (0F) It was invented by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit who was the German physicist. Fahrenhait scale is divided into 180 degrees. Rankine (0R) It is the absolute scale, which corresponds to Fahrenheit degree units. It is named after W. J. M. Rankine, a Scottish engineer. Kelvin (K) It is the absolute scale, based on degree units the size of those in the Celsius scale, which is named in honor of William Thomson also known as Lord Kelvin. The following equations are used to convert each temperature measurements:

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2.] What is the property of mercury which makes it an ideal medium for liquid-in-glass thermometer? Like mercury, volume of liquids automatically and uniformly response to the increase and decrease of temperature. It also has a high boiling point and a low melting point thus making it liquid at room temperature. 3.] Describe the principle of a thermocouple. Give at least five types of thermocouples not mentioned in the discussion. How are they classified? Specify the temperature range and limitations of each type. Temperature measurement using thermocouples are based on an electric current that flows in a continuous circuit of two different metallic wires if the two junctions are at different temperatures. They are classified into the type of metal used. Type Type N Type R Type S Type C Type M Wires Nicrosil-Nisil Platinum-Rhodium 90% Platinum 10% RhodiumPlatinum Tungsten 5% RheniumTungsten 26% Rhenium 20% Nickel Alloy18% Molybdenum-19% Nickel Alloy 0.8% Cobalt Temperature Range 0-1300 125-1768 150-1768 0-2320 0-1400

4.] Explain the reason why temperature of the vapor is measured just above the surface of the liquid. The bulb or the mercury inside the thermometer is very sensitive to a change in temperature. Heat transfer at liquid phase is higher compared at gaseous state; thus, when submerged to a liquid, the volume of mercury will increase aggressively which has a tendency to explode. It must, then, be placed above the surface of the liquid where steam, which is at equal temperature as water at liquid phase during boiling point, can be measured directly without any occurrence error. 5.] Describe at least four modern instruments to measure temperature. Bimetal Thermometers Thermostatic bimetal can be defined as a composite material made up of strips of two or more metals fastened together. This composite tends to change curvature when subjected to a change in temperature. With one end of a straight strip fixed, the other end deflects in proportion to the temperature change, the square of the length, and inversely as the thickness, throughout the linear portion of the deflection characteristic curve. Infrared Temperature Measurement Device It uses Infrared sensors which are non-contacting devices. They infer temperature by measuring the thermal radiation emitted by a material. Total Radiation Pyrometers The thermal radiation is detected over a large range of wavelengths from the object at high temperature. The detector is usually a thermopile which is built by connecting several thermocouples in series to increase the temperature measurement range. Disappearing Filament Pyrometers It can be classified as spectral pyrometers. The brightness of a lamp filament is changed by adjusting the lamp current until the filament disappears against the background of the target 13

at which point the temperature is measured. Because the detector id the human eye, it is difficult to calibrate for online measurements.

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Appendix I. Sample Calculations (From Table 5, Thermometer 1, first reading): | |

(Calibration Equation):
*By substituting the current reading to x the calibrated reading is obtained ( ( ) ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Block Thermocouple Calibrator 51 61 II. References 47 56

Calibrated Reading 54.26 64.92

[1] Padolina, M. C. et. al. (2004). Conceptual and functional chemistry modular approach. Quezon City: Vibal Publishing House, Inc. [2] Chang, R. (2010). Chemistry tenth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. [3] Smith, J. M. et. al. (2005). Introduction to chemical engineering thermodynamics seventh edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. [4] Himmelblau, D. & Riggs, J. (2005). Principles of chemical engineering seventh edition. Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd. [5] Green, D. & Perry, R. (2008). Perrys chemical engineers handbook eighth edition. China: McGrawHill Companies, Inc. [6] http://inventors.about.com/od/tstartinventions/a/History-Of-The-Thermometer.htm [7] http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Physics-Vol-2/Thermal-Expansion-Real-lifeapplications.html#b

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III. Self Evaluation Report Student Name Role (Leader/Member) Member Evaluator Score (100) 100 Remark She makes sure that everything is done as accurate as possible. She performs well on every part of experiment and takes note on how the values were obtained. He critically thinks of ways on how and why it happens. He took the initiative to be the first experiment's leader. He also put together and organized the experimental data. equally distributed tasks among members Makes sure that every step of the experiment is done. Does not leave anything undone. Hence, the experiment is finished in one go.

CO, Lizette Milaney P.

LO, Brian F.

MANALO, Alyssa Mara C.

Member

LO, Brian F.

100

MULINGTAPANG, Justinn Donn S.

Member

LO, Brian F.

100

CO, Lizette Milaney P.

100

LO, Brian F.

Leader

MANALO, Alyssa Mara C.

100

MULINGTAPANG, Justinn Donn S.

100

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