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 should only be used as a guide in the
selection of the correct thermowell. Other variables, like corrosion, should
be evaluated and influence the decision.
Tag #:
Date:
Rev:
Reference:
d
A
FLUID DATA
CONSTANTS
Kf
2.01
To
150
K1
0.079
t/A
t/B
0.01
Operating Temperature
Operating Pressure
Po
200
psig
K2
15.7
FA
3.5
Fluid Velocity
39
ft/sec
K3
2.679
FB
3.5
424
Hz
137
Hz
Fluid
Air
WELL DATA
1.052
0.01
ft /lb
CALCULATIONS
Unsupported Length
10.00
in
Wake Frequency
Bore Diameter
0.500
in
Frequency Ratio
fn
fw
r
Tip Diameter
0.750
in
Magnification Factor
Fm
1.12
Root Diameter
0.760
Um
15.7
Specific Weight @ To
0.112
in
lb/in3
Vm
96
Mod of Elasticity @ To
50.0
psi x 106
Pm
3167
psig
Allowable Stress @ To
40.0
psi x 103
Ls
42.09
in
Vs
164.1
fps
Well Material
Natural Frequency @ To
304
0.32
NOTES
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.
in
ft/sec
TABLES
SPECIFIC WEIGHT (lb/in3)
Material
Air
V = 3.0558Q/ID
Code
105
70F
0.284
700F
0.280
900F
0.279
1100F
0.278
1300F
1500F
C.Steel
304 SS
304
0.290
0.286
0.285
0.284
0.283
0.281
310 SS
310
0.290
0.286
0.285
0.284
0.283
0.281
316 SS
316
0.290
0.286
0.285
0.284
0.283
0.281
321 SS
321
0.290
0.286
0.285
0.284
0.283
0.281
446 SS
446
0.270
0.267
0.266
0.264
0.263
F22
0.290
0.286
0.285
0.284
0.283
0.281
Pipe I.D.
ID
2.000
in
F22 SS
Hast B-3
HSB-3
0.334
0.330
0.328
0.326
0.325
0.324
Flow Rate
10.0
SCFM
Hast C-22
HSC-22
0.323
0.319
0.317
0.316
0.314
0.313
Velocity
7.6
ft/sec
Hast C-276
HSC-276
0.323
0.319
0.317
0.316
0.314
0.313
HSC-4
0.323
0.319
0.317
0.316
0.314
0.313
Hast X
HSX
0.297
0.293
0.291
0.290
0.289
0.287
Inconel
INC
0.307
0.302
0.300
0.299
0.297
0.296
Monel
MON
0.319
0.313
0.311
0.308
0.306
0.313
0.311
0.309
Hast C-4
400
500
600
700
Nickel
NIK
0.322
0.316
0.315
0.018
0.020
0.024
0.037
Titanium
TIT
0.163
0.162
0.161
70F
29.5
30.6
28.3
28.3
28.3
28.3
29.2
30.6
31.4
29.9
29.8
29.8
28.5
30.3
26.0
30.0
15.5
200F
28.8
29.8
27.7
27.7
27.7
27.7
28.7
29.8
30.6
29.2
29.1
29.1
27.8
29.5
25.4
29.3
15.0
300F
28.3
29.4
27.1
27.1
27.1
27.1
28.3
29.4
30.1
28.7
28.6
28.6
27.4
29.1
25.0
28.8
14.6
400F
27.7
29.1
26.6
26.6
26.6
26.6
27.7
28.8
29.8
28.4
28.3
28.3
27.1
28.8
24.7
28.5
14.0
500F
27.3
28.6
26.1
26.1
26.1
26.1
27.0
28.3
29.3
28.0
27.9
27.9
26.6
28.3
24.3
28.1
13.3
600F
26.7
28.3
25.4
25.4
25.4
25.4
26.0
27.7
29.0
27.7
27.6
27.6
26.4
28.1
24.1
27.8
12.6
700F
25.5
27.8
24.8
24.8
24.8
24.8
24.8
27.1
28.6
27.2
27.1
27.1
25.9
27.6
23.7
27.3
11.9
800F
24.2
27.2
24.1
24.1
24.1
24.1
23.1
26.3
27.9
26.6
26.5
26.5
25.4
27.0
23.1
26.7
11.2
900F
22.4
26.6
23.4
23.4
23.4
23.4
21.1
25.6
27.3
26.0
25.9
25.9
24.8
26.4
22.6
26.1
1000F
20.4
26.0
22.7
22.7
22.7
22.7
18.6
24.6
26.7
25.4
25.3
25.3
24.2
25.8
22.1
25.5
1100F
18.0
25.6
22.0
22.0
22.0
22.0
15.6
23.7
26.2
25.0
24.9
24.9
23.7
25.3
21.7
25.1
1200F
1300F
1400F
1500F
24.9
21.3
21.3
21.3
21.3
12.2
22.5
25.6
24.4
24.3
24.3
23.2
24.7
21.2
24.5
24.3
20.7
20.7
20.7
20.7
23.6
19.3
19.3
19.3
19.3
22.8
17.9
17.9
17.9
17.9
21.1
25.0
23.8
23.7
23.7
22.6
24.1
20.7
23.9
19.4
24.2
23.0
22.9
22.9
21.9
23.3
20.0
23.1
23.4
22.3
22.2
22.2
21.2
22.6
19.4
22.4
70F
14.3
23.3
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
18.6
21.4
31.4
28.6
27.3
26.7
23.3
23.3
16.7
10.0
14.3
200F
14.3
20.5
16.7
17.6
17.3
18.0
18.5
21.4
31.4
26.7
24.9
24.6
21.0
21.1
14.6
10.0
12.4
300F
14.3
18.3
15.0
16.1
15.6
16.5
18.3
20.9
30.3
24.6
23.0
23.0
19.2
19.9
13.6
10.0
10.3
400F
14.2
16.5
13.8
15.1
14.3
15.3
18.2
20.6
28.8
22.9
21.3
21.7
17.7
19.1
13.4
10.0
8.8
500F
13.6
15.0
12.9
14.3
13.3
14.3
18.1
20.5
27.4
21.5
19.9
20.8
16.5
18.6
13.2
10.0
7.6
600F
12.8
14.1
12.3
13.7
12.6
13.5
18.0
20.4
26.3
20.4
18.7
20.1
15.7
18.4
13.1
10.0
6.5
700F
11.9
13.6
11.7
13.3
12.1
13.0
17.9
20.0
25.4
19.6
17.8
19.6
15.1
18.2
13.0
800F
9.4
13.5
11.2
12.9
11.8
12.6
900F
5.0
13.5
10.8
12.5
11.5
12.3
1000F
1100F
1200F
1300F
1400F
1500F
13.5
10.4
9.9
11.3
12.0
11.0
9.8
7.5
6.1
5.1
3.7
3.6
2.3
2.5
1.4
11.1
6.9
7.4
3.6
4.1
1.7
2.3
0.8
1.3
0.3
19.3
24.8
19.0
17.1
19.1
14.7
18.0
12.7
15.8
7.8
3.2
1.2
18.6
16.7
18.3
16.5
17.5
15.0
9.6
9.8
H2
HCl
H 2S
0.006
0.095
0.096
UNS#
Code
SA-675
105
N12160
160
S30400
304
S31008
310
S31600
316
S32100
321
S44627
446
K21590
F22
N10675
HSB-3
N06022
HSC-22
N10276
HSC-276
N06455
HSC-4
N06002
HSX
N06690
INC
N04400
MON
N02200
NIK
R50400
TIT
UNS#
Code
SA-675
105
N12160
160
S30400
304
S31008
310
S31600
316
S32100
321
S44627
446
K21590
F22
N10675
HSB-3
N06022
HSC-22
N10276
HSC-276
N06455
HSC-4
N06002
HSX
N06690
INC
N04400
MON
N02200
NIK
R50400
TIT
CONVERSION FACTORS
From
m
mm
To
ft
in
14.5
8.0
X
3.281
0.03937
Water
Sea Water
Amyl Alcohol
62.4
64.2
55.0
82.3
95.4
114.7
Air
Acetylene
Ammonia
C2H2
NH3
m/s
ft/s
3.281
Butyl Alcohol
45.3
H2SO4 (20%)
71.0
Argon
m3/kg
Mpa
ft3/lb
psi
16.018
Benzine
56.0
93.5
Butane
Ar
C4H10
145.04
Gasoline
42.0
64.7
Butylene
Kpa
psi
0.145
Kerosine
50.5
HCl (10%)
66.5
g/cc
lb/in3
kg/m3 lb/ft3
USGPM IGPM
0.0764 Hydrogen
0.073 Hydrogen Chloride
0.044 Hydrogen Sulphide
0.103 Methane
CH4
0.045
CH3Cl
0.133
Nitrogen
N2
0.075
0.113
Nitric Oxide
NO
0.078
CO
0.078
Nitrous Oxide
N 2O
0.114
Chlorine
Cl2
0.184
Oxygen
O2
0.082
Ethane
C 2H 6
0.081
Pentane
C5H12
0.088
Ethylene
C 2H 4
0.073
Propane
C 3H 8
0.118
He
0.010
Sulphur Dioxide
SO2
0.179
0.162
Methyl Chloride
C 4H 8
0.148
Carbon Dioxide
CO2
0.03613
Carbon Monoxide
0.06243
0.8327
To (F)
Po (psig)
Dens (@To/Po)
0.113
60
0.113
Helium
PIPE DIMENSIONS
O.D.
1/2"
3/4"
1"
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3-1/2
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
42
0.840
1.050
1.315
1.660
1.900
2.375
2.875
3.500
4.000
4.500
5.563
6.625
8.625
10.750
12.750
14.000
16.000
18.000
20.000
22.000
24.000
26.000
28.000
30.000
32.000
34.000
36.000
42.000
SCHEDULE
5S
0.710
0.920
1.185
1.530
1.770
2.245
2.709
3.334
3.834
4.334
5.345
6.407
8.407
10.482
12.438
13.688
15.670
17.670
19.624
21.624
23.572
10S
0.674
0.884
1.097
1.442
1.682
2.157
2.635
3.260
3.760
4.260
5.295
6.357
8.329
10.420
12.390
13.624
15.624
17.500
19.500
21.624
23.500
29.500
29.376
29.376
10
0.674
0.884
1.097
1.442
1.682
2.157
2.635
3.260
3.760
4.260
5.295
6.357
8.329
10.420
12.390
13.500
15.500
17.500
19.500
21.500
23.500
25.376
27.376
29.376
31.376
33.376
35.376
20
8.125
10.250
12.250
13.250
15.500
15.376
19.250
21.250
23.250
25.000
27.000
29.000
31.000
33.000
35.000
30
8.071
10.090
12.090
13.376
15.376
17.124
19.000
21.000
22.876
22.876
26.750
28.750
30.750
32.750
34.750
STD
0.622
0.824
1.049
1.380
1.610
2.067
2.469
3.068
3.548
4.026
5.047
6.065
7.981
10.020
12.000
13.250
15.250
17.250
19.250
21.250
23.250
25.750
27.750
29.750
31.750
33.750
35.750
41.750
40
0.622
0.824
1.049
1.380
1.610
2.067
2.469
3.068
3.548
4.026
5.047
6.065
7.981
10.020
11.938
13.124
15.000
16.876
18.814
22.626
30.624
32.624
34.500
60
7.813
9.750
11.626
12.812
14.688
16.500
18.376
20.250
22.064
XH
0.546
0.742
0.957
1.278
1.500
1.939
2.323
2.900
3.364
3.826
4.813
5.761
7.625
9.560
11.750
13.000
15.000
17.000
19.000
21.000
23.000
25.000
27.000
29.000
31.000
33.000
35.000
41.000
80
0.546
0.742
0.957
1.278
1.500
1.939
2.323
2.900
3.364
3.826
4.813
5.761
7.625
9.562
11.374
12.500
14.312
16.126
17.938
19.750
21.564
100
120
7.437
9.312
11.062
12.124
14.938
15.688
17.567
19.250
20.938
3.624
4.563
5.501
7.187
9.062
10.750
11.812
13.562
15.250
17.000
18.750
20.376
140
7.001
8.750
10.500
11.500
13.124
14.876
16.500
18.250
19.876
160
0.466
0.612
0.815
1.160
1.338
1.687
2.125
2.624
XXH
0.252
0.434
0.599
0.896
1.100
1.503
1.771
2.300
3.438
4.313
5.189
6.813
8.500
10.126
11.188
12.812
14.438
16.064
17.750
19.314
3.152
4.063
4.897
6.875
9.750
11.750
STEAM TABLES
(extracted from ASME Steam Tables for Industrial Use, 1997 Edition)
Pressure
(psia)
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
65
75
100
200
250
300
400
500
600
675
700
800
900
1000
1200
1400
1550
1600
1800
2000
2500
3000
3100
3500
4000
5000
7500
10000
15000
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
38.85
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.016
0.017
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
44.99
29.90
22.36
17.86
14.81
12.65
11.04
9.782
8.769
6.678
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
51.04
33.96
25.43
20.34
16.89
14.45
12.62
11.21
10.06
7.698
6.645
4.936
2.361
1.861
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.018
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.017
57.04
37.99
28.46
22.78
18.93
16.21
14.17
12.58
11.31
8.667
7.494
5.588
2.725
2.154
1.767
1.285
0.993
0.795
0.693
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.019
0.019
0.018
63.03
41.99
31.47
25.20
20.95
17.94
15.67
13.94
12.53
10.18
8.320
6.217
3.059
2.430
2.005
1.477
1.159
0.946
0.829
0.793
0.678
0.587
0.514
0.402
0.318
0.272
0.024
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.022
0.022
0.021
0.021
0.019
69.01
45.98
34.47
27.60
22.95
19.66
17.20
15.28
13.74
10.55
9.135
6.834
3.379
2.693
2.227
1.651
1.304
1.073
0.946
0.908
0.783
0.686
0.609
0.491
0.406
0.357
0.342
0.291
0.249
0.169
0.098
0.092
0.031
0.029
0.027
0.025
0.023
0.022
74.98
49.96
37.46
30.01
24.95
21.38
18.70
16.62
14.95
11.49
9.945
7.446
3.693
2.948
2.442
1.817
1.441
1.190
1.053
1.011
0.877
0.771
0.688
0.562
0.472
0.420
0.403
0.350
0.307
0.230
0.176
0.167
0.136
0.105
0.059
0.032
0.027
0.024
80.95
53.95
40.45
32.40
26.95
23.09
20.20
17.96
16.15
12.41
10.75
8.053
4.003
3.198
2.653
1.978
1.573
1.302
1.154
1.109
0.964
0.850
0.761
0.626
0.529
0.473
0.456
0.399
0.353
0.272
0.216
0.208
0.176
0.146
0.104
0.051
0.036
0.028
(w)
1000
86.92
57.93
43.44
34.80
28.94
24.80
21.70
19.29
17.35
13.34
11.55
8.658
4.310
3.446
2.861
2.136
1.701
1.411
1.252
1.204
1.048
0.926
0.831
0.686
0.582
0.522
0.503
0.443
0.394
0.308
0.249
0.240
0.207
0.175
0.131
0.074
0.050
0.034
1100
92.88
61.91
46.42
37.19
30.94
26.51
23.19
20.62
18.55
14.26
12.36
9.260
4.615
3.692
3.066
2.292
1.827
1.518
1.347
1.296
1.130
1.000
0.898
0.743
0.632
0.568
0.548
0.484
0.432
0.340
0.277
0.268
0.233
0.199
0.153
0.092
0.063
0.041
1200
98.84
65.88
49.41
39.58
32.93
28.22
24.69
21.95
19.75
15.19
13.16
9.862
4.918
3.936
3.270
2.446
1.952
1.623
1.441
1.387
1.211
1.072
0.963
0.798
0.681
0.613
0.592
0.524
0.468
0.370
0.304
0.293
0.256
0.221
0.172
0.107
0.076
0.048
1300
104.8
69.86
52.39
41.98
34.92
29.93
26.18
23.28
20.94
16.11
13.95
10.46
5.221
4.179
3.474
2.600
2.076
1.726
1.534
1.477
1.290
1.143
1.028
0.853
0.728
0.656
0.634
0.562
0.503
0.399
0.329
0.318
0.278
0.241
0.189
0.121
0.087
0.055
1400
1500
110.76
73.83
55.37
44.37
36.95
31.63
27.68
24.61
22.14
17.03
14.75
11.06
5.522
4.421
3.676
2.753
2.199
1.830
1.627
1.566
1.368
1.213
1.091
0.906
0.774
0.699
0.677
0.599
0.537
0.427
0.353
0.341
0.300
0.260
0.205
0.133
0.096
0.062
116.72
77.81
58.36
46.76
38.90
33.34
29.17
25.94
23.33
17.95
15.55
11.66
5.823
4.663
3.878
2.905
2.321
1.932
1.718
1.654
1.446
1.283
1.154
0.959
0.820
0.740
0.716
0.635
0.570
0.454
0.376
0.364
0.320
0.279
0.220
0.144
0.105
0.069