Unlocking the power of non-invasive temperature measurement

The iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 is more than just a sensor, it's a leap forward in industrial measurement technology, writes Egemen Demirkol, Business Development Manager, Endress+Hauser

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In the world of industrial process automation, temperature measurement is a critical parameter. It impacts everything from product quality and energy efficiency to safety and regulatory compliance.

Traditionally, industries have relied on invasive temperature sensors, devices that penetrate the process medium, often requiring complex installation and introducing risks such as leaks, contamination, and process disruption.

"But what if you could achieve the same accuracy and response time as good as invasive sensors, without ever opening the process?" asks Egemen Demirkol, Business Development Manager, Endress+Hauser.

The iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 from Endress+Hauser, a noninvasive temperature measurement solution, is transforming how industries monitor and control their processes.

Explaining a noninvasive temperature measurement, Demirkol says: "Noninvasive temperature measurement means placing a sensor on the outside surface of a pipe or vessel to determine the temperature of the fluid inside."

This approach eliminates the need for drilling, welding, or installing thermowells, and avoids direct contact with the process medium.

However, surface measurements have historically faced challenges, such as ambient influences (wind, sun, temperature fluctuations); slower response times; and lower accuracy compared to invasive methods.

The iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 overcomes these challenges through advanced thermal engineering and innovative coupling design.

FUNCTIONING OF TM611

At the heart of the TM611 is a thermal coupling element, a specially designed interface that ensures excellent heat transfer between the pipe surface and the sensor.

The key features of the TM611 include a large contact area for maximum heat exchange; a geometry matched to pipe diameter to eliminate air gaps; and heat transfer material to compensate for surface imperfections.