Captec

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The active thermal fluxmeter is a sensor that permit to measure the heat transfer ( convection, conduction and radiation) that cross the sensor, maintaining the sensor at a different temperature. In exit we have a tension proportional to the flux.

Operating principle:

The sensitive element is a self generating thermopile panel comprising numerous plated junctions uniformly distributed over its sensing area. The thermopile panel is integrated inside a thin heterogeneous structure designed to be locally responsive to heat flux. Since the heat sensor can provide positive or negative output voltages depending on the heat flux orientation, it requires no special wiring, nor referring junction or signal conditioning.
The sensor is coupled with a heater that permit it to maintain itself in temperature in order to complete the experimentation. In fact the heater allows the sensor temperature to rise in comparison with its environment.

Advantage:

Ultra thin: the local temperature increase across the sensor thermal resistance by the heat flux is minimized, and the period of time needed to reach the steady state of heat flow inside the sensor is minimized.
No dependent temperature: the greatest advantage of the Captec sensor is to have a sensitivity which no temperature is dependent between the range extending from - 200°C to +200°C.
Flexibility: Size and shape on request, custom made for all types of special application, can be mounted on all surface types (flexible), option thermocouple.
Measurement: Short response time, available with high sensitivity option, low electrical resistance and we have a sensor temperature control.

Applications:

Numerous applications: measurement of fluid properties, (velocity..)

Specifications:

Accuracy: Thickness of 0,7 mm, minimal disturbance (sensing section thickness: 0,4mm)
Sensing Area: Up to several dm square or ft square (precisely shaped and sized on request)
Operating temperature: from - 180°C to 250°C (-330F to 500F)
Thermal resistance: 0,006°C/W/m2 or 0,034 F/Btu/hr ft2
Input range: - 500 kW/ m2 to 500 kW/ m2
Electrical resistance about 100 ohms for a sensing area of one dm2 (0,1 ft square)
Thermal emissivity : 0,48
Instrumentation: Any voltage measuring instrument having a 0,1 mV range, and a energy source.
Connection: either by welding or by copper Teflon insulated color coded wires.
Response time: 0,3 sec
Possibility to measure the temperature also with thermocouples type T integrated in the sensor.
Sensitivity:

dimensions( mm )

Sensing surface area (cm²)

Sensibility
µV/( W/m² )

option high sensibility
µV/( W/cm² )

10x10 1 0,3 0,6

50x50 25 7,5 15

100x100 100 30 60

150x150 225 67,5 135

300x300 900 180 360

High sensitivity thermal fluxmeter

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