Understanding Thermal Control Systems

Example of an integrated heater and thermowell with multiple
sensors to be matched with a control system for
highly accurate heating. Courtesy of BCE.

The control system is one of the primary components of a thermal system, along with the heating source (ex. electric heater) and the sensing element (ex. thermocouple or RTD). Proper selection of the control system is critical to accurate control, efficiency and performance.

Temperature gradients and fluctuations occur during heat up, cool down, and when process load is applied. These are mitigated by proper placement of the heating source, location of the sensing element, and control mode chosen.

Thermal system stability is maintained by carefully balancing the energy applied to the process media in opposition to the energy adsorbed by the process and all the radiant, conductive, and convective losses in the system.

For example, an electric heater's "power" is rated in watts, and the power density is stated in watts per square inch. In an ideal thermal system, the energy provided by the electric heater (in watts) would equal the energy lost from all the surfaces and work-related losses at the desired temperature. However, the world is not ideal, and additional external variables affect close temperature control. Hence, the need for control systems.

Control systems regulate in two ways: 1) by regulating the amount of energy (electricity or fuel) added to a process; and 2) by regulating the time the full energy source is applied. When talking about electric heaters, an example of power regulation is the use of thyristor power controllers that modulate the voltage delivered to the heater. An example of time-based power control is the use of solid state (or mechanical) relays and proportioning the amount of time-on, versus time-off, that full power is applied.

Recommendations for optimal thermal system control:

1. Use adequate insulation when and where possible to reduce radiant and convective surface losses.
2. Design the thermal system with the heating source, sensing element and process media as compact and near one another as possible.
3. For thermal systems that are likely to have large overshoot, consider using cascading control that governs the power output based upon multiple sensing locations.
4. Carefully consider the thermal system control mode you choose for the application, i.e. simple on-off control or some variety of energy proportioning.
5. Sensor position is very important. The sensor should be placed as close to, or immersed in, the critical area of your process media, or where a good average temperature can be obtained.
6. Consider the thermal conductivity of your process media and base your sensor location accordingly. You may have to test several locations.

Contact BCE with any question or requirement for electric heaters or thermal system design. Call 510-274-1990 or visit https://belilove.com.

On-Off Temperature Control Using PLC Ladder Logic

Diagram of on / off control.

In control theory, an on–off controller is a feedback controller that switches abruptly between two states. It is often used as a control method for a process which can tolerate an ongoing, changing band of change, referred to as the hysteresis. A very common example for temperature are residential thermostats. They control the temperature of your home, turning off at your comfort setting, then after some significant change occurs, and they turn on again to eliminate that difference. The process cycles continually.

A common method of temperature control is an on/off control system using comparison instructions in a PLC program where outputs are energized until the set point is reached.

The video below provides a temperature control example where the heater turns on when the temperature falls to or below 597 degrees, and turns off when the temperature reaches 603 degrees or more.

To control the circuit, S1 is programmed in the heater output circuit. Addressed to the move instruction is a thermocouple that provides an analog value to the temperature. The temperature is moved from the source to the destination when S1 is activated and is displayed on the LED panel.

Using the less than or equal to, and greater than or equal to, instructions addressed to the same integer file the source values have A and B are compared to control the heater. With source a less than source be at the less than equal to instruction, the low temp and heater outputs are enabled. The heater remains on as long as the low temp output is true and the high temp output is false.

As the temperature rises above source B at the less than or equal to instruction, low temp turns off and heating continues. Reaching 603 degrees or more, the high temp output is enabled, since source A is equal to source B of the greater than equal to instruction.

When the high temp output is true, the heater turns off and remains of until the temperature reaches 597 or lower.  The cycle is repeated to maintain the average set point temperature at the other at 600 Fahrenheit.

Bi-Metal Thermostats

Bi-metallic Thermostats

Bi-metallic (bi-met) temperature controls (thermostats) have been around for a very long time, but their simplicity, dependability, size and cost still make them a good choice for certain applications.

Also known as "thermoswitches", bi-metal thermostats come in  two primary styles - a "disk" type, which looks more like a button, and a "cartridge" style. Both operate on the same basic principle of differential expansion. Disk type devices are used in many household appliances, such as clothes dryers or coffee pots, as temperature control or as hi-limits. Cartridge style thermostats are used in more industrial applications and OEM equipment.