Gasification reactors, due to their harsh process conditions, place high demands on the instruments used there. Many manufacturers have reacted to this and adapted their products correspondingly. But which are the optimisation possibilities for thermocouples for use at higher process pressures?
The challenge: ?Gasification reactors?
In a gasification reactor, there’s an extremely aggressive process atmosphere and, with that, the chance of poisoning of the noble metal thermocouple. The process conditions often result in shutdowns and interruptions functioning. Profitability and safety aspects are thus two important themes regarding the the instruments used in them.
WIKA sapphire-design thermocouple TC84
Method of resolution: Sapphire thermocouple
Through the use of a sapphire protection tube, the high-temperature thermocouple is protected from poisoning by the aggressive process atmosphere during operation. The reason behind that is its monocrystalline structure. The sapphire-design thermocouple has, due to its construction, a significantly higher service life than other high-pressure thermocouples and, therefore, plays a part in a clear decrease in the process downtime.
Investment of a sapphire thermocouple
3 times longer service life compared to purely ceramic thermowells because of the monocrystalline structure of the sapphire thermowell
High process safety with processes up to 1,700 �C and 65 bar
Cost saving due to the elimination of complex purge systems and valves and fittings for flow measurement
Reduction of unplanned downtime
Increased safety against escape of toxic media through double sealing system
Construction of the TC84 sapphire-design thermocouple
Special construction of a sapphire thermocouple
The special construction of a sapphire thermocouple provides increased safety.
The primary sealing serves as protection contrary to the escape of toxic process gases at high pressures and also at high temperatures
The secondary sealing may be the safeguard in case of a malfunction in the principal seal due to any unforeseeable disturbance to the principal seal
The ceramic outer thermowell serves as protection against harsh process conditions
The sapphire protection tube protects internally against contamination of the thermocouples through diffusion
Note
WIKA is rolling out the TC84 sapphire-design, high-temperature thermocouple specifically for use in gasification reactors. More info on the TC84 can be found on the WIKA website and inside our flyer.