ETHANOL PRODUCER'S DATA BASE

Simplicity in Applied technology

Thermometer Stem Adapter 

  • Most thermometer adapters that are mounted on distillation columns
    • are 1/2" Npt Female fittings allowing for direct mount of industrial grade
    • 1/2" Npt Probe mount Thermometers that are usually very expensive.
  • To use lower cost 1/8" straight stems like those on lower cost analog and digital thermometers you can build this simple adapter that will secure a good fit. 

  • A-B : 1/2'' NPT to 1/4''                       Simple 1/2" Npt to 1/8" Straight stem adapter
    • FLARED TUBING FITTING
  • C : FAWCET RUBBER SEAT
  • D : 1/8'' STEM ( SENSING END )
  • E : 1/8'' STEM ( METER END )
  • F : THERMOMETER OF YOUR CHOICE
  • MAKE THIS CONVERTER FOR A FEW DOLLARS 
  • TO USE ANY 1/8'' STEMMED THERMOMETER 
  • AND DON'T GET FOOLED BY THE PRICE THINGY,
  • DIGITAL LOW COST UNITS, 
  • ARE PRECISEINSTRUMENTS   
  • KEEP AT MIND
    • THESE SIMPLE RULES :
  • ANALOG INSTRUMENTS COSTING $85.00 ARE PRECISE
    • TO 1.5% TO 2.5% OF THE ACTUAL READINGAVERAGE
  • DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS COSTING $5.95 ARE PRECISE
    • TO  0.1% OF ACTUAL READING

 

Thermometer Calibration

  • CALIBRATE WELL
    • AND YOU WILL GET A TRUE READING  
  • IF YOU WANT TO GET ACCURATE READINGS, AND BE certain
    • THE TEMPERATURE YOU SEE IS IS THE TEMPERATURE YOU GET
  • CALIBRATE YOUR THERMOMETER AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.
    • THE PROCEDURES OUTLINED ARE THE BEST YOU WILL EVER REQUIRE.
    • AND NO MATTER WHAT YOU PAY TO A CALIBRATION LABORATORY, THEY WILL NOT BE MORE ACCURATE.
  • BOILING WATER IS A STANDARD REFERENCE : 100°C/212°F
  • THAWING ICE IS A STANDARD REFERENCE 0°C/32°F

 

  • Boiling Point Method  

     

    • Bring clean tap water to a boil in a deep pan.
    • Put the thermometer stem or probe into the boiling water so that the sensing area is completely submerged.
    • Do not let the stem or probe touch the bottom or sides of the pan. Wait at least 30 seconds or until indicator stops moving.
    • With the thermometer stem or probe still in the water, use a wrench to turn the adjusting nut until the thermometer reads 212°F (100°C) at sea level. 

      

  • Ice Point Method 

    • Fill a large glass with crushed ice.
    • Add clean tap water until the glass is full and stir well.
    • Put the thermometer stem or probe in the ice water mixture so that the entire sensing area is submerged.
    • Do not let the stem of the thermometer or probe touch the sides or bottom of the glass.
    • Wait at least 30 seconds or until indicator stops moving.
    • With the stem of the thermometer or probe still in the ice water mixture, use a wrench to turn the adjusting nut until the thermometer reads 32°F (0°C).

 

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  • IMPORTANT NOTE:
  •  When calibrating a thermometer, make sure you know
    • The exact atmospheric pressure at the moment you plan to calibrate your thermometer and adjust the reference accordingly
    • Use this Altitude reference chart to match the temperature to the right reading.

     

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Surprisingly... Digital thermometers in the $5.00 to $15.00 Price range hold calibration for most of their useful life and need no calibration as opposed to mechanical analog dial type thermometers which tend to deviate by as much as a few degrees, and therefore require constant calibration at least one time every year.

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