A thermowell is a pressure tight receptacle designed to accept a temperature sensing element and provide a means to insert that element into a vessel or pipe.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has defined the term thermowell as a closed-end reentrant tube designed for insertion of a temperature-sensing element, and provided with means for a pressure-tight attachment to a vessel.

A thermowell acts as a barrier between a process medium and the sensing element of a temperature measuring device. It protects against corrosive process media, as well as media contained under pressure or flowing at a high velocity. A thermowell also allows the sensing element to be removed from the application while maintaining a closed system.

If the measurement is not critical either to the safety of the plant or to the efficiency of the production, and if the process fluid is not particularly aggressive or dangerous, it may be possible to insert a stainless steel, sheathed, industrial thermometer into the plant pipeline through a suitable compression fitting. Obviously, the thermometer could not be removed while the plant is running and should a problem occur with the measurement, maintenance will be delayed until the process can be stopped and the line drained and made safe.

Thermowells are available for use with all Temperature Instrumentation and Control Products, including: Thermometers, Thermocouples, RTDs, Temperature Recorders, and Temperature Controllers.

CONNECTIONS: Thermowells are available in a variety of process connection styles. Threaded connections in 1/2, 3/4 and 1 NPT are the most widely specified. Socket weld, weld-in, raised face flanged connection styles are also available. Bimetal Thermowells are provided with a 1/2 NPSM instrument connection to allow for pressure relief within the thermowell.

U-LENGTH: The U-length (insertion length) of a thermowell indicates its insertion depth into a process vessel or piping system and is measured from the tip of the thermowell to the underside of the threads. The U-length must equal or exceed the length of the sensitive portion of the temperature instrument's stem or bulb.

SHANK: Thermowells are available in stepped, tapered, and straight shank configurations. Stepped shank thermowells are normally used on standard duty applications. Tapered shank thermowells are designed for use on heavy duty applications. Straight shank thermowells are designed for use with instruments that have wide stem diameters or short stem lengths.

LAGGING EXTENSION: Lagging extension thermowells are used on applications where insulation covers the vessel or piping system. The extension length (T-length) is the measurement between the instrument connection and process connection of the thermowell.

The thermowell protects the instrument from the pressure, flow-induced forces, and chemical effects of the process fluid. Typically a thermowell is made from metal bar stock, bored to accept the temperature sensor, and with a screw or flange for mounting. The inner end of the thermowell may be of reduced diameter to improve the speed of response. For low pressures and temperatures, Teflon may be used to make a thermowell. Thermowells in a variety of materials, including: brass, carbon steel,stainless steel, Monel, Carpenter 20, Hastelloy, Inconel, Incoloy, Nickel and Titanium.

Where temperatures are high and the pressure differential is small, a protection tube may be used with a bare thermocouple element. These are made of alumina to prevent chemical attack of the platinum or other thermocouple elements, and may be in turn be inserted into a heavy silicon-carbide outer protection tube if increased protection is required.

Since the mass of the thermowell must be heated to the process temperature, and since the walls of the thermowell conduct heat out of the process, accuracy and speed of response of the sensor is affected.

The thermowell protects the instrument from the pressure, flow-induced forces, and chemical effects of the process fluid. Typically a thermowell is made from metal bar stock, bored to accept the temperature sensor, and with a screw or flange for mounting. The inner end of the thermowell may be of reduced diameter to improve the speed of response. For low pressures and temperatures, Teflon may be used to make a thermowell. Thermowells in a variety of materials, including: brass, carbon steel,stainless steel, Monel, Carpenter 20, Hastelloy, Inconel, Incoloy, Nickel and Titanium.

Where temperatures are high and the pressure differential is small, a protection tube may be used with a bare thermocouple element. These are made of alumina to prevent chemical attack of the platinum or other thermocouple elements, and may be in turn be inserted into a heavy silicon-carbide outer protection tube if increased protection is required.

Since the mass of the thermowell must be heated to the process temperature, and since the walls of the thermowell conduct heat out of the process, accuracy and speed of response of the sensor is affected.