Predicting Actual Temperature Distributions in a Polymer Stream Using an Adjustable-Depth,Exposed-Tip Thermocouple Assembly

Knowledge of melt temperature distributions in transfer lines is needed for many polymer fabrication processes. Measurement of actual temperatures with melt thermocouples, however, is very difficult because their signals are influenced by heat transfer with other equipment. A numerical technique is presented here that uses measurements from an adjustable-depth, exposed-tip thermocouple to predict the actual temperature distribution across a polymer stream. This model accounts for heat transfer within the thermocouple assembly and with the polymer stream.