On generalisation of dual-thermocouple sensor characterisation to RTDs

Abstract

Intrusive temperature sensors such as thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) have become industry standards for simple and cost-effective temperature measurement. However, many situations require the use of physically robust and therefore low bandwidth temperature sensors. Much work has been published on dual-thermocouple thermometry as a means of obtaining increased sensor bandwidth from relatively robust thermocouples, which are assumed to have first-order response. This contribution seeks to determine if RTDs, which are known to have approximately first-order response, can also be characterised using the dual-thermocouple approach. Experimental results show that the response of an RTD cannot be represented by a first-order model with sufficient accuracy to allow successful application of this method. Furthermore, simulation studies demonstrated that if a sensor exhibits even marginally second-order response, highly inaccurate temperature reconstructions follow. It is concluded that a higher-order model that more accurately reflects RTD response would be required for successful dual-RTD characterisation.