FNAL-UC Abstract 2014 - The Effects of High Pressure on PT-1000 RTDs

A. Lindsay
G. Dzuricsko and I. McNair, De LaSalle Institute
H. Back, Fermilab

This summer I ran many tests on a PT-1000, which is a type of resistance temperature detector (RTD). The PT-1000's resistance changes depending on the temperature. The PT-1000 also experiences a significant amount of self heating at higher voltages, so the temperature is not always accurate. In gas, a "bubble" of heat forms around the PT-1000, whereas in liquid the heat is pulled away more efficiently. This makes the PT-1000 an effective liquid level monitor. There are four PT-1000s placed in a piece of equipment called the Condenser Booster to measure the liquid levels. However, the readings are inaccurate. I discovered that the inaccuracies can be contributed to the high pressure within the Condenser Booster (2600 psi). At high pressures, the gas pulls the heat away from the PT-1000 similarly to liquid, so the PT-1000 is no longer works properly as a liquid level monitor at high pressure.