What is temperature? Let's review the key points in 30 seconds.
Temperature is an indicator that shows how "hot" or "cold" an object or air is. In everyday life, it is used as air temperature or room temperature, but in industrial applications, it is an important measurement that affects product quality and process repeatability.
- Temperature: An indicator that represents the thermal state of an object or air. In Japan, the degree Celsius (°C) is widely used.
- Heat: This is energy that is transferred due to a temperature difference. It is different from temperature itself.
- Temperature measurement: There are contact and non-contact methods, and the appropriate method is chosen depending on the object and purpose.
- Temperature Control: In industrial applications, this encompasses not only measurement but also recording, monitoring, control, and calibration.
Chapter 1
1. What is temperature?
Temperature is an indicator that represents "hotness" or "coldness."
Temperature is a numerical representation of how hot or cold an object or air is. In everyday life, it is used in terms of air temperature, room temperature, body temperature, and food temperature.
Temperature is related to the state of motion of molecules and atoms.
Temperature is related to the state of motion of the molecules and atoms that configuration a substance. Generally, the more active the motion of molecules and atoms, the higher the temperature, and the less active the motion, the lower the temperature.
Differences between temperature unit: °C, K, and °F
| unit | How to read | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|
| ℃ | Celsius | In daily life, in many industrial settings within Japan |
| K | Kelvin | Thermodynamics, science and technology, absolute temperature |
| °F | Fahrenheit | room temperature display in some regions such as the United States |
Simplified conversion of temperature unit
This tool allows for simple conversion between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. It can be used as an entry point for students and beginners to understand the concepts and to check international specifications.
Chapter 2
2. Differences between temperature, heat, heat quantity, and perceived temperature
Temperature
This is an indicator that shows the thermal state of an object or air.
heat
This is energy that is transferred due to a temperature difference.
heat quantity
This is the amount of thermal energy transferred. Even at the same temperature, the effect differs depending on the size and material of the object.
Sensible temperature
It depends not only on temperature, but also on humidity, wind, solar radiation, radiant heat, clothing, and activity level.
For heatstroke prevention, it is effective to look not only at the temperature but also at the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, which includes humidity and radiant heat.
Chapter 3
3. The impact of temperature on daily life and health
Temperature significantly impacts health and comfort. High temperatures increase the risk of heatstroke, while low temperatures can lead to body chills and hypothermia.
Temperature guidelines for indoor environments
Indoors, it's necessary to consider not only temperature but also humidity and ventilation. Since the set temperature of the air conditioner may differ from the actual room temperature, it's important to measure at a representative point in the room.
Relationship between humidity, wind, and radiant heat
Even at the same temperature, high humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, making you feel hotter. In places with radiant heat from sunlight or machinery, it can feel hotter than the actual air temperature.
Chapter 4
4. How do you measure temperature?
Temperature is measured by detecting heat transfer from the object being measured to the sensor, or by detecting radiation such as infrared radiation emitted from the object being measured.
| Method | Overview | Main Applications | Points to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact type | The sensor is brought into contact with the object to take a measurement. | Liquids, gases, piping, inside tanks, inside furnaces | It is affected by the mounting condition, insertion depth, and response speed. |
| Non-contact type | It measures without touching by detecting infrared rays, etc. | High temperature objects, moving objects, surface temperature, hygiene management | It is affected by emissivity, distance, field of view, and reflection. |
The difference between surface temperature and internal temperature
During heating or cooling, a temperature difference can occur between the surface and the interior. In processes such as food processing, resins, metalwork, furnace processing, and process, it is necessary to clearly define which temperature should be controlled.
Chapter 5
5. Types of temperature sensors
| Kinds | Features | Suitable uses |
|---|---|---|
| Thermocouple | This method utilizes the thermoelectric power generated at contact of different metals. It is a method that is easily adaptable to a wide temperature range. | High-temperature measurement, factory, research facility, in-furnace measurement |
| Resistance thermometer | This method utilizes the change in electrical resistance due to temperature. It is suitable for relatively high accuracy and stable measurements. | Quality control, research development, calibration, equipment monitoring |
| Thermistor | This device uses an element whose resistance changes significantly with temperature. It is compact and offers excellent responsiveness. | Electronic equipment, internal temperature detection, relatively narrow temperature range |
| IR Thermometers | The surface temperature is measured by capturing the infrared radiation emitted from the object. | High temperature objects, moving objects, non-contact measurement, hygiene management |
| Thermal Camera | The temperature distribution is visualized as an image. | Equipment inspection, heat monitoring, research development, quality inspection |
Chapter 6
6. Why is temperature control important in industry?
Temperature is crucial in industrial settings not only for comfort but also directly impacts quality, repeatability, safety, and equipment maintenance. Changes in temperature conditions can affect product dimensions, strength, viscosity, dryness, fermentation, chemical reactions, and storage stability.
Quality control
Differences in temperature conditions can lead to variations in quality and defects.
process management
repeatability of temperature processes such as heating, holding, and cooling is crucial.
Safety management
Early detection of abnormal heat generation or insufficient cooling can help reduce safety risks.
Audit response
Temperature history, deviation records, and calibration history may be required.
Chapter 7
7. The Importance of Temperature Control by Field
| field | Main risks | Information to see | Equipment and support that are likely to be needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory/Manufacturing Line | Quality variations, defects, and disruptions in process conditions. | process temperature, product temperature, temperature history | Temperature sensors, recorders, controllers, monitoring systems |
| Research facilities and testing equipment | Reduced repeatability of test conditions, insufficient reliability of measured values. | Test temperature, ambient temperature, calibration history | resistance thermometer, recorders, temperature calibration devices |
| Pharmaceuticals and Reagents | Deviations from storage conditions, quality deterioration, inadequate audit response. | Temperature history, deviation records, calibration certificates | Temperature loggers, monitoring systems, calibration |
| Food/raw materials | Insufficient heating, insufficient cooling, quality deterioration | Heating temperature, storage temperature, transportation history | Thermometers, radiation thermometer, data loggers |
| Electronic components and precision equipment | Heat generation, heat stress, characteristic changes | Surface temperature, device internal temperature, temperature distribution | Thermal imaging cameras, temperature sensors, monitoring equipment |
| Heat treatment and high-temperature process | Temperature unevenness, insufficient processing, equipment malfunctions | Furnace temperature, heating, maintenance, and cooling history | Thermocouples, controllers, recorders, calibration |
Chapter 8
8. The Importance of Temperature Control in Transportation and Logistics
During transport, temperatures fluctuate due to factors such as outside temperature, sunlight, stopping, door opening and closing, loading conditions, and transport time. Even if conditions are properly managed within the warehouse, they can change during transit.
For pharmaceuticals, food products, reagents, electronic components, and precision instruments, temperature deviations during transportation can pose a quality risk. It is crucial to consider checking the temperature history not only during storage but also during transportation.
Chapter 9
9. Key points for temperature measurement that factory personnel should keep in mind
| Check items | Contents to be confirmed |
|---|---|
| The purpose | Which of the following do you want to control: indoor environment, product temperature, process temperature, equipment malfunctions, or storage conditions? |
| What to measure | Where should we measure? Air, liquids, solid surfaces, interiors, pipes, furnaces, tanks, etc. |
| Temperature range | Check the normal operating temperature, higher limit and lower limit, and short-term peak temperature. |
| response speed | Is it necessary to capture rapid temperature changes? |
| Installation environment | Check for the effects of direct sunlight, radiant heat, wind, vibration, dust, corrosive gases, electrical noise, and dew condensation. |
| Operating conditions | Determine whether display, recording, remote monitoring, alert notifications, and control are necessary. |
| Calibration Requirements | Confirm the required accuracy, calibration cycle, calibration points, and whether a certificate is necessary. |
Chapter 10
10. Calibration and traceability of thermometers and temperature sensors
Thermometers and temperature sensors may show inaccurate display due to environmental factors and changes over time. Regular calibration is crucial in environments requiring quality control, research and development, compliance with standards, and audits.
The difference between calibration and inspection
Inspection is the process of checking whether the equipment is functioning correctly. Calibration is the process of checking for deviations in measured values by comparing them with a standard instrument and confirming the reliability of the measured values.
What is traceability?
Traceability is the concept of demonstrating that measurement results are seamlessly linked to national standards and other relevant criteria. In quality assurance and audit compliance, it is crucial to understand the standards upon which measurement values are verified.
Chapter 11
11. How to choose temperature control equipment
Temperature control devices are not just about measuring temperature. Selection is based on the measurement target, temperature range, required accuracy, response speed, installation environment, need for recording, monitoring, and control, and calibration capabilities.
Before implementation, clarifying the measurement target, measurement location, temperature range, required accuracy, response speed, installation environment, whether recording is necessary, whether control is necessary, and calibration requirements will make the equipment selection process easier.
How to choose temperature control equipment based on its intended use
In temperature control, what to measure, where to measure it, and whether recording and monitoring are necessary will vary depending on the application. The following is a guideline to begin selecting equipment. When actually selecting equipment, please check the measurement target, temperature range, installation environment, required accuracy, and calibration requirements.
| Applications | The temperature you want to measure | Suitable measurement method | Necessity of recording and monitoring | Calibration checklist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piping, tanks, and inside of vessels | Liquid temperature, gas temperature, internal temperature | Contact-type temperature sensor, sensor with protective tube | Record-keeping is often necessary in process control and quality assurance. | Check the calibration point that is close to the operating temperature range. |
| Furnaces, heat treatment, and high-temperature process | Furnace temperature, product temperature, heating/holding/cooling history | Thermocouples, recorders, controllers | Understanding temperature history and temperature variations is important. | Check calibration in high-temperature ranges, sensor degradation, and replacement cycles. |
| Moving bodies, rotation bodies, high-temperature surfaces | surface temperature | radiation thermometer, thermal image measurement | Monitoring is effective for anomaly detection and quality control. | Check emissivity, measurement distance, field of view, and surface condition. |
| Warehouse/Storage | Ambient temperature, storage temperature, temperature history | Temperature loggers, recorders, and monitoring systems | Continuous record-keeping is important for long-term storage and audit compliance. | Confirm the representativeness of the measurement points and whether a calibration certificate is required. |
| Transportation/Logistics | Temperature fluctuations and deviation time during transport | Temperature loggers, wireless devices, data logging devices | It is often necessary to check for deviations from the specified conditions and to create reports. | Confirm the pre- and post-transport inspection procedures and record-keeping methods. |
| For research, testing, and calibration purposes. | Test temperature, reference temperature, comparative measurement value | resistance thermometer, standard sensors, temperature calibration devices | repeatability of test conditions and measurement records are important. | Verify traceability, calibration range, and uncertainty. |
| Equipment maintenance and abnormal heat monitoring | Equipment surface temperature, heat-generating parts, temperature distribution | Thermal imaging cameras, radiation thermometer, monitoring systems | Continuous monitoring is effective for early detection of abnormal trends. | Check the inspection criteria, thresholds, and recording methods. |
Chapter 12
12. Temperature control support that Chino can provide.
Chino supports on-site temperature management through temperature sensors, radiation thermometer, recorders, controllers, monitoring systems, temperature calibration equipment, and calibration services.
| Role | Main equipment and services | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Measure | Temperature sensors, radiation thermometer, thermal imaging cameras | Temperature measurement can be performed using either contact or non-contact methods, depending on the object. |
| Record | Recorder, data logger | This helps in understanding temperature history and deviations. |
| Monitor | Surveillance systems, wireless equipment | Continuously monitor the status of remote locations or multiple locations. |
| Control | Controllers, instrumentation systems | It helps stabilize process by bringing the temperature closer to the set temperature. |
| Calibration | Temperature calibration equipment, standard sensors, calibration services | Supports ensuring the reliability of measurement values. |
Things to organize before consultation
When discussing temperature control, the more specific the on-site conditions, the easier it will be to consider a suitable equipment configuration. Even if everything hasn't been decided yet, organizing the following items will make the consultation process easier.
| Check items | Things to organize |
|---|---|
| What to measure | What will you measure? Air, liquids, metals, resins, food, furnaces, piping, storage facilities, transported goods, etc. |
| Measurement location | Should we measure surface temperature or internal temperature? How many measurement points are needed? Where should the representative points be placed? |
| Temperature range | room temperature, higher limit and lower limit, short-term peak temperature, ambient temperature. |
| Required accuracy | Is it sufficient to use this as a rough guideline, or is it a measurement value to be used for quality assurance or audit compliance? |
| Recording and monitoring | Is on-the-spot display sufficient, or are historical records, remote monitoring, and alert notifications required? |
| Control | Is it simply a matter of measuring the temperature, or is it necessary to control heating and cooling to maintain a constant condition? |
| Calibration and certification | Calibration certificate, traceability, calibration cycle, and whether calibration points are required. |
Why not review your temperature management system from measurement and recording to monitoring, control, and calibration?
The necessary measuring instruments, recording methods, control methods, and calibration approaches will vary depending on the site conditions. Please consider the appropriate equipment configuration after clarifying the application and installation environment.
I want to discuss temperature control.Summary
Temperature is a familiar indicator in daily life that relates to comfort and health. On the other hand, in industrial applications, it is a critical control item that affects everything from quality, process, storage, transportation, safety, equipment maintenance, and audit compliance.
In industrial settings, it's crucial to consider not only temperature measurement, but also recording, monitoring, control, and calibration. As "Chino, the temperature expert," Chino supports on-site temperature management from each stage of temperature measurement, control, monitoring, and calibration.
FAQ
Q. What is temperature?
A. Temperature is an indicator that shows how hot or cold an object or air is.
Q. What is the difference between temperature and heat?
A. Temperature is an indicator of a thermal state, and heat is energy that is transferred due to a temperature difference.
Q. What is the difference between contact and non-contact temperature measurement?
A. Contact-type sensors measure by making contact with the object. Non-contact-type sensors measure without touching it by detecting infrared light or other signals.
Q. How do you choose between thermocouples and resistance thermometer?
A. Thermocouples are easy to use for a wide temperature range and high-temperature measurements, while resistance thermometer are suitable for relatively high accuracy and stable measurements.
Q. Do thermometers and temperature sensors need to be calibrated?
A. Regular calibration is important when the reliability of measurement values is required for quality control, research and development, compliance with standards, audits, etc.
Q. Why is temperature control during transportation important?
A. During transportation, temperature can fluctuate due to factors such as outside temperature, sunlight, stopping, door opening/closing, and loading conditions, which may pose a risk to quality control.
Reference information
- CHINO Corporation "Temperature Calibration Devices and Standard Sensors"
- CHINO Corporation "radiation thermometer"
- CHINO Corporation "Products and Services"
- Japan Meteorological Agency: "Temperature, Humidity"
- Ministry of the Environment Heatstroke Prevention Information Website: "What is the Heat Index?"
This page utilizes AI assistance for configuration planning and some image creation. The content is based on publicly available information and CHINO Corporation 's product and service information. Product specifications, calibration scope, and support conditions may change, so please check the latest product and service information when considering implementation.
