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Thermal Conductivity of Water vs Temperatures

The Measurement Platform-2 (MP-2) is an advanced meter with unique selection of transient thermal conductivity sensors for a variety of applications, with a focus on primary measurements. The transient thermal conductivity sensors share similar principles of operation. The sensor wire is heated using a constant current source (q) and the temperature rise is recorded by monitoring the change in electrical resistance of the wire (THW and EFF) or by resistance temperature detector device (TLS). For samples of high thermal conductivity, resistance increases more slowly over time; for samples of low thermal conductivity, resistance increases more quickly over time.

Thermtest MP-2 Measurement Platform Portable Meter

Picture 1. Thermtest MP-2 Thermal Conductivity Meter

Thermal conductivity MP-2 users benefit from the convenience and accuracy gained when using primary testing methods. The MP-2 controller auto-detects the connected sensor and loads corresponding testing parameters. Measurements are easily performed with the smart on-board software and transferred to computer with an included Windows utility program.

THW-L3 Sensor

Thermtest THW-L3 Sensor and Sample Cell

Picture 2. Thermtest THW-L3 Sensor and Sample Cell

The Transient Hot Wire-L3 sensor is one of the many sensors offered with the Thermtest Portable Measurement Platform (MP-2). This sensor offers simple yet accurate measurements of liquids, pastes, and powders from 0.01 to 1 W/(m·K) via the transient hot-wire method, and has a temperature range of 10°C to 40°C. The THW-L3 adheres with an internationally recognized standard of testing by complying with ASTM D7896-19. This sensor has a 5% accuracy and a 2% reproducibility of measurement, making it a highly accurate and precise instrument for measuring the thermal conductivity of liquids, pastes, and powders.

The THW-L3 has a detect current setting that determines the appropriate amount of current to apply based on a test measurement. By reading the result of the test measurement, a current will be set that results in an optimal temperature rise of the sample during testing. The accompanying sample holder can be filled with ~15ml of any liquid, and the sensor can subsequently be inserted into the sample holder. An alternative method of measuring the thermal conductivity of a liquid sample is to insert the THW-L3 directly into the vessel containing the sample.

Measurement Platform-2 (MP-2) with the THW-L3 sensor and sample cell

Picture 3: Measurement Platform-2 (MP-2) with the THW-L3 sensor and sample cell

Thermal Conductivity of DIUF Water at Various Temperatures

The THW-L3 sensor was first calibrated with deionized ultra-filtered (DIUF) water at room temperature, and then five measurements were taken to verify the calibration. The sample and sensor were then placed in a dry bath and cooled to 10°C. Once isothermal conditions were reached, five measurements were taken with the THW-L3 sensor. The dry bath was then heated to 20°C, 30°C, and 40°C, and the sensor and sample were allowed to become isothermally stable at each temperature before measurements were taken. The results were then compared to literature values of water.

DIUF water with dry bath, Thermtest THW-L3 sensor, and MP-2

Picture 4: Set-up used to measure DIUF water with dry bath, Thermtest THW-L3 sensor, and MP-2.

The Thermtest THW-L3 sensor has a 5% accuracy and a 2% reproducibility of measurement, making it a highly accurate and precise instrument for measuring the thermal conductivity of liquids, pastes, and powders.

Table 1: Average values of thermal conductivity of DIUF water measured with the Thermtest THW-L3 sensor and reference values.

Sample Temperature
(°C)		 Measured λ
(W/mK)		 Reference λ
(W/mK)		 Accuracy
(%)		 RSD (%)
DIUF Water 10 0.583 0.579 0.73 1.07
20 0.589 0.589 1.51 1.05
30 0.614 0.614 0.00 1.67
40 0.649 0.628 3.27 0.73

 

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