Design and Production of a Thermocouple for a Foundry Unit Using Local Materials

Student: Richard Isaiah Inyang (Project, 2025)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Abstract In this project, a thermocouple was designed and produced using locally sourced materials. The manufacturing process included cutting, welding, joining and surface finishing. K-type thermocouple materials made of Nickel-Chromium and Nickel-Aluminum alloys were joined at one end to form a hot junction and were placed inside a stainless steel hollow pipe which can withstand very high temperature. After the production process was completed, the device was tested for sensitivity in the emission of thermoelectric voltages. A voltage-to-temperature chart was used to convert the displayed voltage to the actual measured temperature. The temperature of the heat was varied to ensure that it range of application is consistent with what is obtained in theory. During the calibration test it was observed from the result that the sensitivity of the thermocouple was similar to that of a standard thermocouple with a negligible error of 0.7246%. it was recommended that an integrated electronic unit be used in taking readings of the measured temperature to avoid the rigors of consulting the thermoelectric voltage charts often.

Keywords
design production thermocouple foundry local materials
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