Reduction furnace thermowell

ترموول کوره احیا
2025/05/04

Reduction furnace thermowell

With pride, Petropolad Middle East Company has succeeded in winning the title of “Knowledge Foundation” from the Vice Presidency of Science and Technology of the country by inventing and producing the thermocouple sheath (thermowell) of the sponge iron direct reduction reactor for the first time in Iran.
Thermowell is very effective in industries that require the use of various thermocouples in production processes. This equipment has been localized following the efforts and research of Iranian engineers at Petropolad Middle East Company.

گواهی تاییدیه شرکت پترو پولاد خاورمیانه

Thermocouple sheath and thermowell sheath are other names for this product. As its name suggests, it protects the thermocouple like a sheath-like protector. In addition to protection, it also brings other benefits such as increased efficiency, thermocouple life, and accuracy. Join us to learn more about this amazing invention.

What is thermowell or thermowell sheath?

Thermowell is a functional device consisting of special alloys and unique layers that protect the thermocouple in harsh and harsh production processes. This allows manufacturers to have much more precise control over the production process.

In some industries, such as steel and rolling mills, precise and live monitoring of the production process is very important for the manufacture of special and special alloys. In the past, thermocouples were subject to high wear and tear due to the very high temperatures and pressures of the reduction furnace or other types of furnaces and did not have the necessary accuracy. But the thermowell sheath or thermocouple sheath solves this problem by protecting the thermocouple in these conditions and increasing its accuracy and efficiency at the same time.

By eliminating this problem, the production path of complex alloys that require great precision and control to regulate the speed and direction of reactions becomes much smoother. In addition, by maintaining the thermocouple, it will have a significant impact on the cost of production.

How does a thermowell work?

A thermowell is a tubular connection with a closed end. This equipment is installed in places where there is a possibility of corrosion or damage to the sensors and in the path of the fluid flow. The sensor in question, which can be a thermocouple, thermometer or RTD, is placed inside it and secured using a screw or flange connection.

The fluid being measured is in direct contact with the thermowell body and transfers heat to it, and the thermowell transfers this heat to the sensor. This creates a situation where, in addition to protecting the sensor, the sensor can be easily replaced if necessary.

The Middle East Petropole Group has localized this component by redesigning existing thermowell types in the country, performing reverse engineering and simulating the flow of fluids with different properties.

In what industries is a thermowell or thermocouple sheath used?

Generally, very important and practical industries that play a key role in a country’s economy benefit from this invention. Industries that play a major role in a country’s economic cycle, whether in the field of exports or domestic production, can be improved with types of thermowells, such as:

  • Steel production industry
  • Oil and gas refineries
  • Petrochemical industry
  • Aerospace
  • Power and energy production plants
  • Nuclear energy
  • Glass and ceramic production industry
  • Metallurgy and electric arc furnaces
  • And…

In addition to improving the accuracy and protecting the thermocouple at high temperatures, thermowell also provides protection against corrosion, moisture and mechanical forces. For this reason, it can also be used in the chemical industry. Because the reaction temperature is a key factor in these industries, the corrosive properties of some chemical compounds cause serious damage to the temperature-controlling thermocouple. For this reason, there is a possibility of proper productivity for thermowells in the following industries:

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Production of acidic chemical raw materials
  • Mercury-based industries
  • Some textile processes
  • Mining and mineral processing
  • And…

What are the features of thermowells?

Three main features are considered for thermowells:

  1. High resistance and durability: In addition to resistance to heat and corrosion, high durability is also of particular importance. One of the main goals of a thermowell is to reduce production costs. On the other hand, producing a thermowell itself will have a cost. Therefore, each thermowell must have a cost reduction of at least several times its price. For this reason, a thermowell must be able to be used again and again.
  2. Special thermodynamic properties: The thermowell must be such that the thermocouple inside it can measure the temperature of the furnace in the most accurate way. If it causes heat transfer in a continuous oscillating manner, meaning that it shows the temperature transferred to the thermocouple differently at every moment, it will be more harmful than beneficial.
  3. Least interference: The presence of anything in the flow of a fluid changes its movement pattern, and the thermocouple sheath, which is placed exactly in the flow of the fluid with the thermocouple inside it, must cause the least interference. For example, its constituent materials should not react with the fluid in the flow, and its morphology should not create eddy currents or other similar pattern changes.
  4. Ease of use: You can easily install or remove the thermowell without performing complex steps and without the need for special and trained personnel. And this will not be time-consuming. For this reason, it will be very easy to use.

    Steps to purchase and order a thermowell

Any industrial unit that needs this equipment must first register an order for its manufacture at Petropolad Middle East. During the order registration process, precise details of the raw materials required to manufacture this part must be made available to experts. Because some of the raw materials must be purchased from foreign manufacturers and imported into the country.

Necessary information such as the type of employer’s need, the factories producing the materials

The initial proposal is presented to the employer in accordance with his needs in the manufacturing countries and their different prices and qualities. After reaching a consensus, Petropolad itself initiates correspondence and goes through the steps of purchasing the required raw materials and flanges. Since these items require mandatory standards in the clearance process, this can normally be very time-consuming and difficult, but Petropolad traders carry out these processes completely routinely after 15 years of work.

Custom Thermowell Manufacturing

The received raw materials are first marked according to specialized drawings drawn by Petropolad engineers and then cut with special nickel-based alloy cutting tools and are prepared for the next stage. At this stage, the workshop environment is completely isolated and free of any other materials, including steel. Then, before starting the WPS of the Thermowell, items such as the location and position of the welds, etc. are inspected by the inspector. Also, only welders with a 5G grade are used in this work. Then, in addition to checking the validity of their certificate, several samples of welding with the same material are taken from them. Finally, considering the telescopic nature of the part and the need for two-stage manufacturing, the continuation of the steps for welding in the factory is coordinated with the employer.

Thermocouple sheath quality control – Thermowell

Thermowell quality control is carried out in three stages by Petropolad Middle East.

  1. Inspection after preparation of raw materials: At this stage, the thermowell is examined in very important dimensions. Dimensional control, chemical analysis, destructive mechanical testing of tension, strain and fracture are among the most important. Finally, a comprehensive visual inspection is also carried out.
  2. Before preparation of raw materials: After the materials are cleared and transported to the workshop, a chemical test is taken to ensure the required composition and the authenticity of the product. Then, all measurements and markings made by engineers that have been applied to the cutting and turning of the work are inspected.
  3. Post-manufacturing inspection: Finally, after completing all stages of product production (which has also undergone brief stages of inspection during the production stages), all welds and weld lines will be subjected to various non-destructive tests, including VT and PT, by a trusted inspection company selected by the employer.

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