Thermographic Phosphors in Improved Thermal Management of Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Operating fossil fuel power plants at maximum efficiency requires high temperature measurements with sufficient accuracy to allow operation at optimum temperatures. Even a few degrees can reduce plant efficiency significantly. To operate with minimum downtime requires temperature measurement with sensors that have stable characteristics, not requiring frequent calibration. Thermographic phosphor temperature sensing meets both these important requirements Phosphor thermometry (PT) is a well-established high temperature (1500oC) experimental method with significant benefits for fossil fuel power plants. A low-cost, durable, compact PT measurement module will be developed that has superior measurement precision with low long-term drift and can be incorporated into measurement networks and control instrumentation in fossil fuel plants. Commercial Application and Other Benefits: The TP thermometer can be used in all types of power generating facilities where it is desirable to measure high temperatures accurately with long term stability. PT sensors can also benefit other industrial processes that use heating or cooling, such as petroleum refining. PT systems can be applied to improve jet turbine engines and rocket systems for defense applications. They can provide temperature monitoring in a variety of vehicles and portable power units where temperature stability, wide range, accuracy, and electromagnetic immunity are needed