The optical pyrometer, which has been around for more than a century, is a well-known and often used equipment in the field of temperature measurement. The fabrication of ceramics, glass, and metals are just a few of the industries that use this non-contact temperature measurement tool. We shall go into great detail on the fundamentals, varieties, and uses of optical pyrometers in this article.
An optical pyrometer is what?
An optical pyrometer is a non-contact thermometer that gauges an object’s temperature using the visible spectrum of light. The basis for the optical pyrometer’s operation is Wien’s law, which states that a blackbody’s maximum radiation wavelength is inversely proportionate to its temperature.
Two different types of optical pyrometers
One-color and two-color pyrometers. A one-color pyrometer measures an object’s temperature by spotting how much radiation it emits at a particular wavelength. On the other hand, two-color pyrometers compare the intensity of radiation emitted at two separate wavelengths to determine an object’s temperature.
Optical pyrometers operate under the premise that an object’s temperature is directly inversely related to the intensity of light it emits. A spectrum is created when an object’s light passes through a prism and separates into its individual hues. Each wavelength’s intensity of light is measured, and the object’s temperature is calculated using the wavelength with the highest intensity.
Uses of Optical Pyrometers:
In the metal manufacturing business, optical pyrometers are frequently used to gauge the temperature of molten metals. They are also employed in the glass sector to gauge the temperature of the material during production. The ceramics sector also makes use of optical pyrometers, particularly to gauge kiln temperatures. They are employed in various fields of science, including as plasma physics and astrophysics, among others.
Optical pyrometers have a number of advantages over other temperature measurement tools like thermocouples and thermistors. Nevertheless, they also have some drawbacks. They are non-contact and can be utilised to determine an object’s temperature from a distance. They can monitor temperatures as high as 3,000°C and have a larger temperature range than many other instruments. They can only measure the temperature of things that are visible or have a visible surface, though. Their accuracy may be impacted by the emissivity of the object being measured, which is also a factor.
In conclusion
Optical pyrometers are widely utilised in a variety of sectors and fields of science. Their working theory is based on the link between an object’s temperature and the wavelength of the most intense radiation it emits. They have a number of benefits over other temperature measurement devices and come in one-color and two-color varieties. They are constrained, nonetheless, by their reliance on visible surfaces and emissivity.