Temperature Measurements Through Dust or Steam for Energy-Intensive Industries

Abstract

The precise measurement of temperature in energy-intensive processes can lead to energy conservation and improvements in the quality and consistency of products. While temperature measurement instruments are available for a wide variety of industrial situations including those which prevent direct contact with the material, airborne particulates can make remote process temperature measurement difficult or impossible. We have developed a prototype remote temperature measurement instrument which can "see" through clouds of dust, steam, smoke, or other obscuring particles that prevent the proper operation of infrared temperature sensors. The new instrument uses wavelengths in the microwave range to sense temperature. Its operation is entirely passive and therefore harmless to personnel or products. Its accuracy after calibration is comparable to that of infrared temperature sensors, and its anticipated cost when in production will be comparable to existing remote temperature instrumentation.