Temperature and Flux Scales for Heat-Flux Sensor Calibration

Published

September 1, 2003

Author(s)

A V. Murthy, D P. DeWitt, Benjamin K. Tsai, Gerald T. Fraser, Robert D. Saunders

Abstract

Methodologies for calibrating heat-flux sensors designed for direct measurement of heat-transfer at a surface are presented. These sensors, extensively used in fire-test methods and aerospace applications, vary in range from a few kW/m² to in excess of 500 kW/m². Traceable source- and detector-based techniques using blackbody radiation are described to cover the wide range of calibration. Calibration results on typical sensors from three blackbody facilities: 25 mm and 51 mm diameter heated graphite tubes and a 23 cm diameter spherical cavity, are presented. These results demonstrate the equivalence between the source- and detector-based techniques in the range from 50 kW/m² to 200 kW/m², and also the superiority of detector-based calibration when reflected radiation effects are important. The problems associated with extending the calibration techniques to high heat-flux levels by inserting the sensor inside a blackbody cavity are also discussed.

Proceedings Title

Temperature, International Symposium | Eighth | Temperature: Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry; Volume Seven | AIP

Volume

684

Issue

No. 1

Conference Dates

October 21-24, 2002

Conference Location

Undefined

Conference Title

AIP Conference Proceedings

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

blackbodies, heat flux, sensors, thermal radiation

Citation

Murthy, A. , DeWitt, D. , Tsai, B. , Fraser, G. and Saunders, R. (2003), Temperature and Flux Scales for Heat-Flux Sensor Calibration, Temperature, International Symposium | Eighth | Temperature: Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry; Volume Seven | AIP, Undefined (Accessed January 15, 2025)