INSTRUMENTATION TEMPERATURE

JULY 1993

PAGE 1 OF 5

EGE 32-B-4 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. 2. Scope References 3. 4. General Modifications to API RP 550, Part 1

1. SCOPE This Guide covers requirements for the design, installation, and application of temperature instruments. 2. REFERENCES The following publications form a part of this Guide. Unless otherwise specified herein, use the edition cited below.
Mobil Engineering Guides EGE 16-B-10 EGE 32-B-1 EGE 32-B-13 (1988) (1989) (1987) Piping Instruments Instrumentation General Requirements Instrumentation Wiring for Instruments and Computers

API (American Petroleum Institute) Recommended Practice RP 550 (1985) Manual on Installation of Refinery Instruments and Control Systems, Part I Process Instrumentation and Control, Section 3 Temperature

NOTE: Although API RP 550 is not a current publication, Mobil considers the referenced material to be valid for Mobils purposes, except as noted in this Guide. Requests for a copy of API RP 550 should be directed to The Librarian, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: (202) 882-8000/Fax: (202) 882-8030.

ERRATA: Figures 3-12 and 3-13 are reversed in API RP 550. ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Codes Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX PTC 19.3 (1986) (1992) Welding and Brazing Qualifications

Performance Test Code: Temperature Measurement, Instruments and Apparatus

ISA (Instrument Society of America) Standard MC96.1 (1982) Temperature Measurement Thermocouples

3. GENERAL The references and requirements in EGE 32-B-1 shall apply to this Guide.

MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE EGE 32-B-4 1993 4. MODIFICATIONS TO API RP 550, PART I This Guide consists of amendments to API RP 550, Part I, Section 3. The paragraph numbers refer to those used in API RP 550.
PAGE 2 OF 5 JULY 1993

Paragraph 3.3.2, Thermowell Insertion Length (Addition)

Insertion length shall be at least:

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active element length + 50 mm (2 in.) for liquids active element length + 100 mm (4 in.) for gases

Paragraph 3.3.3, Thermowell Immersion Length (Addition)

Unless otherwise approved, thermowells for services up to 90 m/s (300 ft/s) fluid velocities shall be fabricated as detailed in ASME PTC 19.3. Additional design requirements are: (1) Thermowell connections for equipment shall be in accordance with the applicable Equipment Guide or project specifications. (2) Thermowells shall be capable of withstanding stresses induced by stream velocity conditions. The wake frequency (commonly called the Strouhal frequency) shall not exceed 80 percent of the calculated natural frequency of the thermowell. Acceptable calculation methods are:

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(3)

As specified in ASME PTC 19.3 Contractors equivalent method, subject to Mobil approval. Thermowell connections into piping shall be in accordance with EGE 16-B-10.

(4) Thermowell lengths are to be standardized for each service and connection type in accordance with design conditions of this paragraph and Paragraph 3.3.2 above.

Paragraph 3.3.4, Thermowell Materials (Substitution)

Material acceptable for standard thermowells shall be Type 304 stainless steel or better. Other materials shall be used as required by process conditions.

Paragraph 3.3.5, Thermowell Construction (Addition)

Protective thermowells and test thermowells shall be bored to receive bimetallic, thermocouple, or resistance elements.

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With the exception of wells for filled system elements, the preferred element diameter for all temperature sensors shall be a nominal 6.4 mm (1/4 in.). Thermowell bore shall be 6.45 to 6.66 mm (0.254 to 0.262 in.). Alternate dimensions and configurations will be considered where it can be shown that standard assemblies are not suitable or may affect operation of the equipment involved. All thermowells shall be drilled barstock.

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EGE 32-B-4 1993

Pipe wells, with spun and welded end, shall be provided for gas phase measurement in firebox and flue gas areas in heaters, boilers, furnaces, stacks, and large vessels that operate at 482C (900F) and higher. Measuring elements and thermowells shall be supplied as assemblies to ensure proper fit. Tip sensitive elements will be provided with a mechanical means of ensuring a solid thermal connection with the thermowell tip (spring loaded, compression connection, etc.).

Paragraph 3.3.5, Item (a) (Addition)

Multipoint thermocouple assemblies are specific engineered products. Close coordination of the process requirements and vessel fabrication must be considered during development. Minimum requirements for multipoint assemblies shall include:

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Thermocouples require certification of calibration in the temperature region of operation to ensure specified accuracy and resolution. Lead wire, field termination, and receiving equipment are to be tested and calibrated as a system by simulation of the certified curve from the thermocouple head or terminal enclosure. The configuration of the guide tube (well) and thermocouple assembly must satisfy the required time response as determined by the process needs. This may dictate whether the thermocouples are fixed or removable. In hydrogen service, the guide tube and the thermocouple attachment must be properly designed and sealed to contain the process fluid under maximum pressure and temperature due to hydrogen permeation or well failure. If the thermocouples are designed to be removed on-line, a means to test and/or relieve pressure must be provided before thermocouple removal.

Paragraph 3.4.2.2, Fabrication (Purchasers Choice)

Metal sheathed, mineral insulated thermocouple assemblies with the measuring junction at the tip as illustrated in Figure 3-5, shall be used. The choice of grounded or ungrounded junction will be an engineering decision for each project, primarily based on site preference. It is not acceptable to mix the types within a project. Consistency of selection and uniform installation shall be followed to maintain the integrity of the choice throughout the system, including wire, shield, and termination. Refer to EGE 32-B-13 for wire and cable installation.

Paragraph 3.4.2.3, Installation (Purchasers Choice)

Liquid-tight, PVC-jacketed, flexible steel conduit or armored flexible cable shall be used. These are as shown in Figure 3-8. Other types of construction may be used, subject to Mobil approval. Thermowells in combining streams shall be located a minimum of 10 pipe diameters downstream of the junction for liquid service and 30 pipe diameters downstream for vapor service.

Paragraph 3.4.3, Tube Surface Temperature Measurement (Addition)

Thermocouples measuring furnace tube wall temperatures shall be either knife-edged or pad type. Type K thermocouples shall be used and the initial calibration shall fall within the tolerances cited by ISA MC96.1.

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The shielded pad type; a Gay Engineering & Sales Co. Refracto-pad, or equal, is recommended. The thermocouple assemblies shall be designed so that the thermocouple junction is fabricated as an integral part of the welding pad itself. The pad shall be 19 19 3 mm (3/4 3/4 1/8 in.) thick Type 310 stainless steel, preformed to the tube O.D. to which it is to be welded. The sheathing material shall be Type 310 stainless steel or as specifically approved by Mobil. The sheath shall be filled with highly compacted magnesium oxide insulation. A Type 310 stainless steel shield filled with castable refractory shall be applied over the entire pad-type thermocouple assembly. That is, the shield shall be welded to the furnace tube for a minimum of 120 degrees of the tube circumference. The purpose of this shield is to protect the thermocouple junction/pad from direct furnace radiation. The knife-edged type of thermocouple will be considered an effective alternative for some installations with Mobil approval. A complete design including attachment procedures shall be submitted for Mobil approval. Welding procedures for either type of assembly shall be subject to Mobil approval. Welders performing work on either type of thermocouple assembly shall be fully qualified under the requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX. A magnetic particle examination of each completed thermocouple/furnace tube welded assembly shall be required.

Paragraph 3.4.5, Extension Wires (Addition)

Thermocouple extension wiring shall conform to the requirements of EGE 32-B-13. Thermocouples shall be of the two-wire type, with terminal blocks enclosed in a weatherproof head having a female threaded, gasketed cover. Spare wires shall be terminated on terminal strips at each end. They shall be clearly identified as spares on the strips and on wiring diagrams and summaries. Terminations for thermocouple extension wires in field-mounted junction boxes or in control room termination cabinets shall be specifically designed for thermocouple termination service. Two acceptable types are currently in use as follows: (1) The terminal and strapping material is made of the same material as the lead wire itself. The terminal block shall be color coded to indicate the alloy being used. (2) The stripped lead wire is actually overlapped and compressed to form the termination.

In either case, quality assurance procedures must be incorporated to guarantee proper terminations are made that will not affect the integrity of the measurement.

Paragraph 3.4.6.6, Temperature Measurement (New)

Microprocessor-based equipment is recommended for monitoring and control. Temperature measurements for process control shall be from dedicated primary elements. For additional requirements refer to EGE 32-B-1. A separate confirming point element located within 150 mm (6 in.) of the control point, shall be considered for critical control and in services that historically show high incidence of failure. Because of recent improvements in element construction and advances in transmitter technology, this confirming point should be considered optional.

Paragraph 3.4.7, Temperature Measurement (New)

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EGE 32-B-4 1993

When a distributed control system (DCS) is not used for monitoring, the following shall apply:

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Multipoint temperature recorders shall be furnished with a minimum of 10 percent spare points. Conventional multipoint temperature indicators (nonmultiplexed) shall have switches as follows: (1) (2) Locking type for indicator points. Nonlocking type for checking recorder points where duplex thermocouples are not used.

A minimum of 10 percent spare switches shall be provided.

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Digital readout temperature indicators, as a minimum, shall have a four-digit display (999.9) and signs (+ and !). The resolution should be on the order of 0.1F for Type J thermocouples or 0.5F for Type K. A typical accuracy would be 0.5 percent of span. Thermocouple burnout (open circuit fault) protection/indication shall also be provided. The digital readout system shall accept, scale, and linearize the appropriate thermocouple types and display a direct readout requiring no use of factor or ramp scale switches. Point selection shall be on a random access basis, requiring no set sequence to read any given thermocouple. Pushbutton selector switches may be used with digital indicators.

Paragraph 3.4.8, Temperature Difference (Purchasers Choice)

Field-mounted amplifiers/converters shall be used when differential temperature measurements are specified.

Paragraph 3.5.1, Application (Addition)

RTDs are recommended for control within the published temperature range.

Paragraph 3.6, Dial Thermometers (Addition)

Dial thermometers with 125 mm (5 in.) diameter, adjustable-angle dials, and weatherproof cases shall be used unless otherwise specifically approved by Mobil. These thermometers shall be installed in thermowells. If necessary for readability, or in vibrating services, dial thermometer with field thermal system of sufficient capillary length shall be used. SAMA Class II vapor-filled capillary systems shall not be used.