THERMOWEL STANDART

SHELL DEP STANDART

shall approve alternative designs. The minimum thermowell material is 316 SS. Carbon steel

thermowells shall not be used. If possible, thermowells shall be mounted in elbows in the

horizontal position. There is no preference in pointing upstream or downstream. Thermowells

mounted in this manner are not subject to vibration and a thermowell vibration calculation is not

required. For small pipes, the pipe will need to swage up to a minimum of DN 150 (NPS 6) when

the thermowell is mounted perpendicular to the pipe to assure adequate contact with the liquid.

For small pipes where the thermowell is mounted in an elbow, the pipe will need to be swaged

up for a minimum of DN 50 (NPS 2) to prevent a restriction in the pipe. To prevent water ingress

into the thermowell, the thermo-element assembly shall be mounted in the horizontal position. If

such measures are not taken, the thermowells shall be dried prior to installation of the sensors to

prevent erratic measurements.

ECCN EAR99 DEP 32.31.00.32-Gen. February 2011 Page 52 For thermowells mounted

perpendicular to the pipe, the vendor’s standard thermowell vibration program to ASME PTC 19.3

TW (for verifying that the thermowell will not fail due to vibration) shall be used. The ratio of actual

frequency calculated at maximum flow to natural frequency of the thermowell shall not exceed

0.8. The length of the thermowell shall be selected in accordance with DEP 31.38.01.12-Gen. or

DEP 31.38.01.15-Gen. such that: a) the measuring element is fully immersed, see Appendix 5; b)
excessive vibration due to fluid velocity does not occur. Thermowell installations should provide

a means to detect the thermowell has failed. NOTE: The above can be accomplished by having a

leak path to the atmosphere between the thermocouple connection to the well and the

thermocouple head. A small hole drilled pointing down in the head extension (Item 3 on drawing

S35.409). Provisions shall be made to prevent back flow of the process through the thermocouple

cable/conduit system. This can be accomplished with an air gap and/or seals. Screwed

thermowells shall not be used. The pipe nozzle used for installation of the thermowell shall be

adequately insulated, irrespective of the operating temperature. In fluidized catalytic cracking

units, the connections for thermowells in catalyst service shall be suitably protected against wear.

They shall not extend more than 60 cm (24 in) inside the equipment or line. For the measurement

of a fluid temperature below 0 °C (32 °F), the length of the head extension shall extend outside

the insulation by a minimum of at least 200 mm (8 in). The use of thermowells having a 90°

directional change inside the vessel, to simplify vessel design, is not allowed. Only when it is

completely impossible to use a straight well should curved wells be considered. The radius of

curvature shall then be at least 1.5 m (5 ft) and the total angular displacement shall not exceed

45°. The location of the nozzles on the vessels shall be calculated to rationalize the number of

multiple element types required. For the measurement of tray temperatures in distilling columns,

special attention shall be paid to the thermowell length and nozzle location. Thermowells installed

in vessels shall have a 46 cm (18 in) insertion, or one-half the vessel diameter, whichever is less.

Unused thermowells shall have a plug installed to prevent fouling/corrosion. Unused thermowells

shall have a tag stating it is a thermowell.

forgings, and shall include a retaining flange. Tapered thermowells with round tip shall be

selected.

Thermowells arrangements are given in GS EP INS 900.

The thermowell standard material is SS 316L. Monel is recommended for seawater services.

Other materials may have to be selected subject to the relevant piping class.

The cover flange shall always meet the relevant piping material requirements for material.

selection and dimension.

Thermowells shall be made in conformity with the ASME PTC 19.3 calculations.

Frequency and stress analysis calculations shall be supplied by the MANUFACTURER.

Pre-sizing of the well shall be performed by the CONTRACTOR.

Test wells for general use shall be provided with screwed plugs permanently attached by

stainless steel chain.

For pipe 4 inches or less, an increase in pipe diameter to 4 inches shall be made.

(expander and reducer), or the thermowell shall be mounted in a T which replaces a pipe elbow.
PETRONAS STANDART
Filled thermal systems, such as those with alcohol, may be used only with the approval of

the principal. Mercury-filled systems shall not be used. For remote temperature indication, thermocouples

(7.3) should be used. Resistance thermometers (7.4) should be used if the required accuracy cannot be

met by thermocouples (e.g. for custody transfer). The temperature sensors, except skin-mounted elements,

shall be installed inside thermowells.

Thermowells are part of the Mechanical Engineering scope of work and are covered by PTS 31.38.01.11

The type, length and material of the required thermowell are dictated by the appropriate Piping Class. For

dimensions of standard thermowells see Standard Drawings S 38.103, S 38.104, S 38.106, S 38.107, S

38.110 and S 38.112. Flanged thermowells are generally used. Welded thermowells according to S 38.112

shall only be installed if, due to high velocity and density of the fluid, the bending forces are too high for

flanged thermowells or if they are subject to vortex vibration. Thermowell cover flanges shall be in

accordance with: S 38.046 (for thermowells in accordance with S 38.103/104/110); S 38.060 (for

thermowells in accordance with S 38.106/107). The length of the thermowell shall be selected in

accordance with PTS 31.38.01.12 or PTS 31.38.01.15 so that:

- the measuring element is fully immersed, see Appendix 5;

- excessive vibration due to fluid velocity does not occur.

Screwed thermowells shall not be employed. The pipe nozzle used for installation of the thermowell

shall be adequately insulated, irrespective of the operating temperature. NOTE: It is recommended to take suitable

measures to prevent (rain) water ingress into the thermowell prior to installation of the temperature sensor. If such measures are not

taken, the thermowells should be dried prior to installation of the sensors to prevent erratic measurements (i.e. the temperature of

boiling water is measured at operating temperatures above 100 °C). For the measurement of a fluid temperature below

0 °C, the length of the head extension shall suit the insulation thickness, and the head shall extend at least

200 mm outside the insulation. Where the fitting of a thermowell is not practical, thermocouples and

resistance thermometers may be located on the surface (‘skin’) of pipes or vessels.

shall be adequately insulated, irrespective of the operating temperature. To prevent water ingress into the

assembly head, the thermo-element assembly shall be mounted in the horizontal position or in a tilted

position with the head facing upwards special attention shall be given to the location of temperature points

in mixing applications. Proper mixing and proper heat exchange between the fluid components should have

been accomplished before those components reach the temperature sensor. Temperature points shall

never be installed directly downstream of flashing or cavitating valves, due to the risk of breakage as a

result of excessive vibration, nor directly upstream of flow meters requiring a straight length.

In fluidized catalytic cracking units, the connections for thermowells in catalyst service shall be suitably

protected against wear. They shall not extend more than 0.6 m inside the equipment or line.
PERTAMINA - MEDCO E&P TOMORI
MEDCO E&P STANDART