THERMOWELL VIBRATION

When fluid flows past a thermowell, the change in fluid momentum creates a
turbulent wake behind the well. Vortices form in this wake, and shed from
alternate sides of the well. The vortex shedding frequency (or Wake
frequency) is linear with flow velocity and inversely proportional to
thermowell tip diameter.

These shedding vortices impose on the thermowell, a periodic force

comprising two components – (i) a lift force, normal to direction of flow,
oscillating at the wake frequency, and (ii) a smaller drag force, parallel to
flow, oscillating at twice the wake frequency.

These vortex-induced forces, which cause thermowell vibration, are normally

small with the magnitude of the vibrations generally negligible. However, as
the wake frequency (fw) approaches the natural frequency (fn) of the
thermowell (within 20%), it can shift and lock-in to the natural frequency.
When fw = fn, the thermowell goes into resonance, and vibrating forces
increase rapidly. The resultant vibrations can cause mechanical failure of the
well.

The Murdock calculations (and companion ASME PTC 19.3) consider only the
oscillating lift force as the cause of thermowell vibration. The ratio of wake to
natural frequency is restricted to a maximum of 0.8 to eliminate the
possibility of resonance.
Although the oscillating drag force is small, it can force the thermowell into
resonance at lower velocities because it occurs at twice the wake frequency.
For high-density fluids (liquids and high pressure steam), the Murdock
analysis is not adequate. When the oscillating drag component is included,
the velocity rating can be reduced by up to 50%.

The calculations included herein are modified to include in-line resonance

due to the oscillating drag force, correction for the magnification ratio and
use of the actual natural frequency of the well rather than the estimated
value.

The results of these calculations shuld only be used as a guide in the

selection of the correct thermowell. Other variables, like corrosion, should be
evaluated and influence the decision.
 Thermowell Velocity Rating
(Program Ver. 4.1)

Company: Tag #:
Project No: Date:
Reference: Rev:

d
A

FLUID DATA CONSTANTS

Fluid Water Kf 2.71 t/A 0.14
Operating Temperature To 100 ºF K1 0.324 t/B 0.19
Operating Pressure Po 0 psig K2 39.7 FA 1.6
Fluid Velocity V 50 ft/sec K3 0.101 FB 1.4
v 0.016 ft3/lb

CALCULATIONS
WELL DATA Natural Frequency @ To fn 1279 Hz
Unsupported Length U 4.50 in Wake Frequency fw 172 Hz
Bore Diameter d 0.260 in Frequency Ratio r 0.13
Tip Diameter B 0.766 in Magnification Factor Fm 1.02
Root Diameter A 1.063 in Max Length @ V (r=.8) Um 11.0 in
Specific Weight @ To w 0.285 lb/in3 Max Velocity @ U (r=.8) Vm 297 ft/sec
Mod of Elasticity @ To E 26.0 psi x 106 Max Static Pressure Pm 5827 psig
Allowable Stress @ To S 18.0 psi x 10 3
Max Stress Length Ls 6.94 in
Max Stress Velocity Vs 77.1 fps

In-Line Resonance (not part of 'Murdock' calculations)

NOTES . Possible in-line resonance at 185 ft/sec
Max recommended velocity 148 ft/sec

These calculations are performed according to the paper "Power Test Code Thermometer Wells" by J. W. Murdock, and also
meet the requirements of ASME PTC 19.3-1998. The program supplies results which should only be used as a guide for
thermowell design. Thermo-Kinetics assumes no responsibility for failure of a well based on the results of these calculations,
and accepts no liability direct or consequential, arising from error or misinformation supplied herein, or due to program misuse.
 TABLES

FLUID VELOCITY CALCULATED from FLOW DATA SPECIFIC WEIGHT (lb/in3)

Mat'l 70ºF 700ºF 900ºF 1100ºF 1300ºF 1500ºF
Fluid Water V = 0.491×Q/ID² 300 SS 0.290 0.286 0.285 0.284 0.283 0.281
Pipe I.D. ID 2.000 in 400 SS 0.270 0.267 0.266 0.264 0.263
Flow Rate Q 100.0 IGPM C.Steel 0.284 0.280 0.279 0.278
Velocity V 12.3 ft/sec Hast B 0.334 0.330 0.328 0.326 0.325 0.324
Hast C 0.323 0.319 0.317 0.316 0.314 0.313
Hast X 0.297 0.293 0.291 0.290 0.289 0.287
Inconel 0.307 0.302 0.300 0.299 0.297 0.296
Specific Volume of Water (ft3/lb) (T in ºF) Monel 0.319 0.313 0.311 0.308 0.306
1 60 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Nickel 0.322 0.316 0.315 0.313 0.311 0.309
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.020 0.02 0.04 Titanium 0.163

MODULUS of ELASTICITY (x 106 psi)

Material UNS/Spec # 70ºF 200ºF 300ºF 400ºF 500ºF 600ºF 700ºF 800ºF 900ºF 1000ºF 1100ºF 1200ºF 1300ºF 1400ºF 1500ºF
C.Stl SA-675 Gr 50 29.5 28.8 28.3 27.7 27.3 26.7 25.5 24.2 22.4 20.4 18.0
Hast B-2 N10665 31.4 30.6 30.1 29.8 29.3 29.0 28.6 27.9 27.3 26.7 26.2 25.6 25.0 24.2 23.4
Hast C-276 N10276 29.8 29.1 28.6 28.3 27.9 27.6 27.1 26.5 25.9 25.3 24.9 24.3 23.7 22.9 22.2
Hast C-4 N06455 29.8 29.1 28.6 28.3 27.9 27.6 27.1 26.5 25.9 25.3 24.9 24.3 23.7 22.9 22.2
Hast C-22 N06022 29.9 29.2 28.7 28.4 28.0 27.7 27.2 26.6 26.0 25.4 25.0 24.4 23.8 23.0 22.3
Hast X N06002 28.5 27.8 27.4 27.1 26.6 26.4 25.9 25.4 24.8 24.2 23.7 23.2 22.6 21.9 21.2
HR160 N12160 30.6 29.8 29.4 29.1 28.6 28.3 27.8 27.2 26.6 26.0 25.6 24.9 24.3 23.6 22.8
Inconel N06690 30.3 29.5 29.1 28.8 28.3 28.1 27.6 27.0 26.4 25.8 25.3 24.7 24.1 23.3 22.6
Monel N04400 26.0 25.4 25.0 24.7 24.3 24.1 23.7 23.1 22.6 22.1 21.7 21.2 20.7 20.0
Nickel N02200 30.0 29.3 28.8 28.5 28.1 27.8 27.3 26.7 26.1 25.5 25.1 24.5 23.9 23.1 22.4
Titanium R50400 15.5 15.0 14.6 14.0 13.3 12.6 11.9 11.2
300 SS 28.3 27.7 27.1 26.6 26.1 25.4 24.8 24.1 23.4 22.7 22.0 21.3 20.7 19.3 17.9
400 SS 29.2 28.7 28.3 27.7 27.0 26.0 24.8 23.1 21.1 18.6 15.6 12.2
F22 SS 30.6 29.8 29.4 28.8 28.3 27.7 27.1 26.3 25.6 24.6 23.7 22.5 21.1 19.4

ALLOWABLE STRESS (x 103 psi)

Material UNS/Spec # 70ºF 200ºF 300ºF 400ºF 500ºF 600ºF 700ºF 800ºF 900ºF 1000ºF 1100ºF 1200ºF 1300ºF 1400ºF 1500ºF
C.Steel SA-675 Gr 50 14.3 14.3 14.3 14.2 13.6 12.8 11.9 9.4 5.0
Hast B-2 N10665 31.4 31.4 30.2 28.9 27.9 27.2 26.6 25.8
Hast C-276 N10276 27.3 24.9 23.0 21.3 19.9 18.7 17.8 17.1 16.7 16.5 15.0 9.8
Hast C-4 N06455 26.7 24.6 23.0 21.7 20.8 20.1 19.6 19.1
Hast C-22 N06022 28.6 26.7 24.6 22.9 21.5 20.4 19.6 19.0 18.6 18.3 17.5 9.6
Hast X N06002 23.3 21.0 19.2 17.7 16.5 15.7 15.1 14.7 14.5
HR160 N12160 23.3 20.5 18.3 16.5 15.0 14.1 13.6 13.5 13.5 13.5 11.0 7.5 5.1 3.6 2.5
Inconel N06690 23.3 21.1 19.9 19.1 18.6 18.4 18.2 18.0
Monel N04400 16.7 14.6 13.6 13.4 13.2 13.1 13.0 12.7 8.0
Nickel N02200 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
Titanium R50400 14.3 12.4 10.3 8.8 7.6 6.5
304 SS S30400 20.0 16.7 15.0 13.8 12.9 12.3 11.7 11.2 10.8 10.4 9.8 6.1 3.7 2.3 1.4
310 SS S31008 20.0 17.6 16.1 15.1 14.3 13.7 13.3 12.9 12.5 9.9
316 SS S31600 20.0 17.3 15.6 14.3 13.3 12.6 12.1 11.8 11.5 11.3 11.1 7.4 4.1 2.3 1.3
321 SS S32100 20.0 18.0 16.5 15.3 14.3 13.5 13.0 12.6 12.3 12.0 6.9 3.6 1.7 0.8 0.3
347 SS S34700 20.0 18.4 17.1 16.0 15.0 14.3 13.8 13.6 13.4 13.2 9.1 4.4 2.2 1.2 0.8
446 SS S44627 18.6 18.5 18.3 18.2 18.1 18.0 17.9
F22 SS K21590 21.4 21.4 20.9 20.6 20.5 20.4 20.0 19.3 15.8 7.8 3.2 1.2

CONVERSION FACTORS DENSITY of LIQUIDS (lb/ft3) DENSITY of GASES at STP (60 ºF & 14.7 psia) (lb/ft3)
From To X Water 62.4 Caustic Soda (30%) 82.3 Air 0.0764 Hydrogen H2 0.006
m ft 3.28 Sea Water 64.2 Caustic Soda (50%) 95.4 Acetylene C2H2 0.07 Hydr Chloride HCl 0.095
mm in 0.04 Amyl Alcohol 55 H2SO4 (100%) 114.7 Ammonia NH3 0.044 Hydr Sulphide H2S 0.1
m/s ft/s 3.28 Butyl Alcohol 45.3 H2SO4 (20%) 71 Argon Ar 0.103 Methane CH4 0.05
m3/kg ft3/lb 16.02 Benzine 56 Nitric Acid (95%) 93.5 Butane C4H10 0.162 Methyl Chloride CH3Cl 0.13
Mpa psi 145.04 Gasoline 42 Nitric Acid (7%) 64.7 Butylene C4H8 0.148 Nitrogen N2 0.08
Kpa psi 0.15 Kerosine 50.5 HCl (10%) 66.5 Carbon Dioxide CO2 0.113 Nitric Oxide NO 0.08
g/cc lb/in3 0.04 Carb Monoxide CO 0.078 Nitrous Oxide N2O 0.11
kg/m3 lb/ft3 0.06 Gas Density Calculation Chlorine Cl2 0.184 Oxygen O2 0.08
USGPM IGPM 0.83 Density To Po Density Ethane C2H6 0.081 Pentane C5H12 0.09
(@ STP) (ºF) (psig) (@ To/Po) Ethylene C2H4 0.073 Propane C3H8 0.12
0.11 60 0 0.113 Helium He 0.010 Sulphur Dioxide SO2 0.18

STP = 60 ºF & 14.7 psia

 PIPE DIMENSIONS

Pipe Inside Diameter - inches (Welded & Seamless Steel Pipe)

Size O.D.
SCHEDULE
5S 10S 10 20 30 STD 40 60 XH 80 100 120 140 160 XXH
1/2" 0.840 0.710 0.674 0.674 0.622 0.622 0.546 0.546 0.466 0.252
3/4" 1.050 0.920 0.884 0.884 0.824 0.824 0.742 0.742 0.612 0.434
1" 1.315 1.185 1.097 1.097 1.049 1.049 0.957 0.957 0.815 0.599
1-1/4 1.660 1.530 1.442 1.442 1.380 1.380 1.278 1.278 1.160 0.896
1-1/2 1.900 1.770 1.682 1.682 1.610 1.610 1.500 1.500 1.338 1.100
2 2.375 2.245 2.157 2.157 2.067 2.067 1.939 1.939 1.687 1.503
2-1/2 2.875 2.709 2.635 2.635 2.469 2.469 2.323 2.323 2.125 1.771
3 3.500 3.334 3.260 3.260 3.068 3.068 2.900 2.900 2.624 2.300
3-1/2 4.000 3.834 3.760 3.760 3.548 3.548 3.364 3.364
4 4.500 4.334 4.260 4.260 4.026 4.026 3.826 3.826 3.624 3.438 3.152
5 5.563 5.345 5.295 5.295 5.047 5.047 4.813 4.813 4.563 4.313 4.063
6 6.625 6.407 6.357 6.357 6.065 6.065 5.761 5.761 5.501 5.189 4.897
8 8.625 8.407 8.329 8.329 8.125 8.071 7.981 7.981 7.813 7.625 7.625 7.437 7.187 7.001 6.813 6.875
10 10.750 10.482 10.420 10.420 10.250 10.090 10.020 10.020 9.750 9.560 9.562 9.312 9.062 8.750 8.500 9.750
12 12.750 12.438 12.390 12.390 12.250 12.090 12.000 11.938 11.626 11.750 11.374 11.062 10.750 10.500 10.126 11.750
14 14.000 13.688 13.624 13.500 13.250 13.376 13.250 13.124 12.812 13.000 12.500 12.124 11.812 11.500 11.188
16 16.000 15.670 15.624 15.500 15.500 15.376 15.250 15.000 14.688 15.000 14.312 14.938 13.562 13.124 12.812
18 18.000 17.670 17.500 17.500 15.376 17.124 17.250 16.876 16.500 17.000 16.126 15.688 15.250 14.876 14.438
20 20.000 19.624 19.500 19.500 19.250 19.000 19.250 18.814 18.376 19.000 17.938 17.567 17.000 16.500 16.064
22 22.000 21.624 21.624 21.500 21.250 21.000 21.250 20.250 21.000 19.750 19.250 18.750 18.250 17.750
24 24.000 23.572 23.500 23.500 23.250 22.876 23.250 22.626 22.064 23.000 21.564 20.938 20.376 19.876 19.314
26 26.000 25.376 25.000 22.876 25.750 25.000
28 28.000 27.376 27.000 26.750 27.750 27.000
30 30.000 29.500 29.376 29.376 29.000 28.750 29.750 29.000
32 32.000 31.376 31.000 30.750 31.750 30.624 31.000
34 34.000 33.376 33.000 32.750 33.750 32.624 33.000
36 36.000 29.376 35.376 35.000 34.750 35.750 34.500 35.000
42 42.000 41.750 41.000
 THERMOWELL VELOCITY RATING

STEAM TABLES (extracted from ASME Steam Tables for Industrial Use, 1997 Edition)
Specific Volume (ft3/lb) (w)
Pressure Temperature (ºF)
(psia) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500
10 0.02 38.85 44.99 51.04 57.04 63.03 69.01 74.98 80.95 86.92 92.88 98.84 104.8 110.76 116.72
15 0.016 0.017 29.90 33.96 37.99 41.99 45.98 49.96 53.95 57.93 61.91 65.88 69.86 73.83 77.81
20 0.016 0.017 22.36 25.43 28.46 31.47 34.47 37.46 40.45 43.44 46.42 49.41 52.39 55.37 58.36
25 0.016 0.017 17.86 20.34 22.78 25.20 27.60 30.01 32.40 34.80 37.19 39.58 41.98 44.37 46.76
30 0.016 0.017 14.81 16.89 18.93 20.95 22.95 24.95 26.95 28.94 30.94 32.93 34.92 36.95 38.90
35 0.016 0.017 12.65 14.45 16.21 17.94 19.66 21.38 23.09 24.80 26.51 28.22 29.93 31.63 33.34
40 0.016 0.017 11.04 12.62 14.17 15.67 17.20 18.70 20.20 21.70 23.19 24.69 26.18 27.68 29.17
45 0.016 0.017 9.782 11.21 12.58 13.94 15.28 16.62 17.96 19.29 20.62 21.95 23.28 24.61 25.94
50 0.016 0.017 8.769 10.06 11.31 12.53 13.74 14.95 16.15 17.35 18.55 19.75 20.94 22.14 23.33
65 0.016 0.017 6.678 7.698 8.667 10.18 10.55 11.49 12.41 13.34 14.26 15.19 16.11 17.03 17.95
75 0.016 0.017 0.017 6.645 7.494 8.320 9.135 9.945 10.75 11.55 12.36 13.16 13.95 14.75 15.55
100 0.016 0.017 0.017 4.936 5.588 6.217 6.834 7.446 8.053 8.658 9.260 9.862 10.46 11.06 11.66
200 0.016 0.017 0.017 2.361 2.725 3.059 3.379 3.693 4.003 4.310 4.615 4.918 5.221 5.522 5.823
250 0.016 0.017 0.017 1.861 2.154 2.430 2.693 2.948 3.198 3.446 3.692 3.936 4.179 4.421 4.663
300 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.019 1.767 2.005 2.227 2.442 2.653 2.861 3.066 3.270 3.474 3.676 3.878
400 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.019 1.285 1.477 1.651 1.817 1.978 2.136 2.292 2.446 2.600 2.753 2.905
500 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.019 0.993 1.159 1.304 1.441 1.573 1.701 1.827 1.952 2.076 2.199 2.321
600 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.795 0.946 1.073 1.190 1.302 1.411 1.518 1.623 1.726 1.830 1.932
675 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.693 0.829 0.946 1.053 1.154 1.252 1.347 1.441 1.534 1.627 1.718
700 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.020 0.793 0.908 1.011 1.109 1.204 1.296 1.387 1.477 1.566 1.654
800 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.020 0.678 0.783 0.877 0.964 1.048 1.130 1.211 1.290 1.368 1.446
900 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.020 0.587 0.686 0.771 0.850 0.926 1.000 1.072 1.143 1.213 1.283
1000 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.020 0.514 0.609 0.688 0.761 0.831 0.898 0.963 1.028 1.091 1.154
1200 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.019 0.020 0.402 0.491 0.562 0.626 0.686 0.743 0.798 0.853 0.906 0.959
1400 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.318 0.406 0.472 0.529 0.582 0.632 0.681 0.728 0.774 0.820
1550 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.272 0.357 0.420 0.473 0.522 0.568 0.613 0.656 0.699 0.740
1600 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.024 0.342 0.403 0.456 0.503 0.548 0.592 0.634 0.677 0.716
1800 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.023 0.291 0.350 0.399 0.443 0.484 0.524 0.562 0.599 0.635
2000 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.023 0.249 0.307 0.353 0.394 0.432 0.468 0.503 0.537 0.570
2500 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.023 0.169 0.230 0.272 0.308 0.340 0.370 0.399 0.427 0.454
3000 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.023 0.098 0.176 0.216 0.249 0.277 0.304 0.329 0.353 0.376
3100 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.023 0.092 0.167 0.208 0.240 0.268 0.293 0.318 0.341 0.364
3500 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.023 0.031 0.136 0.176 0.207 0.233 0.256 0.278 0.300 0.320
4000 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.022 0.029 0.105 0.146 0.175 0.199 0.221 0.241 0.260 0.279
5000 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.018 0.020 0.022 0.027 0.059 0.104 0.131 0.153 0.172 0.189 0.205 0.220
7500 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.018 0.019 0.021 0.025 0.032 0.051 0.074 0.092 0.107 0.121 0.133 0.144
10000 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.018 0.019 0.021 0.023 0.027 0.036 0.050 0.063 0.076 0.087 0.096 0.105
15000 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.017 0.018 0.019 0.022 0.024 0.028 0.034 0.041 0.048 0.055 0.062 0.069