Estimation of radiation losses from sheathed thermocouples

Thermocouples are often used for temperature measurements in heat exchangers. However if the radiation losses from a thermocouple in a high temperature gas flow to colder surroundings are ignored significant errors can occur. Even at moderate temperature differences, these can be significant. Prediction of radiation losses from theory can be problematic, especially in situations where there are large variations in the measured temperatures as the emissivity and radiative heat transfer coefficient of the thermocouple are not constant. The following approach combines experimental results with established empirical relationships to estimate losses due to radiation in an annular heat exchanger at temperatures up to 950 °C.

► Sheathed thermocouples are often used to measure temperatures in heat exchangers.
► Errors are introduced if radiation losses are ignored.
► Radiation losses are environment specific and may be significant.
► Experimental and theoretical methods are used to estimate losses.
► Hot side maximum temperature 950 °C.