TPSY20 High-Accuracy Thermal Conductivity Measuring system

Suggested use

Thermal needle probe systems are particularly suitable for measuring the thermal conductivity of fine granular materials, powders, pastes, gels and highly viscous fluids in which a needle probe can be easily inserted. Harder materials such as rocks may also be measured provided that a hole can be drilled to insert the probe. Examples of typical specimen materials include soils, thermal backfill materials, sediments, foodstuff, sludges, paints and glues.

About the TPSYS20

TPSYS20 is an accurate and user-friendly system for measuring thermal conductivity. Its main components are the TP02 thermal needle probe (or its smaller equivalent, model TP08), the MCU Measurement and Control Unit and software. TP02 and TP08 are designed for measuring thermal conductivities in the range from 0.1 to 6.0 W/(m∙K). The measurement principle is the transient line source technique, in which the thermal conductivity of a specimen is determined from the step response of the specimen temperature to heat from a linear heater. For details on TP02 or TP08, see the separate brochures. The MCU takes care of the measurement and control process and provides a convenient graphical user interface in the form of a web page. TPSYS20 is particularly suitable for thermal conductivity measurements in a laboratory environment. If needed, TPSYS20 can be powered from a 12 V battery, so that it may be used in the field. TPSYS20 is operated in conjunction with a PC. An intuitive and easy-to-use graphical user interface allows the user to set measurement parameters, control measurements, view measurement progress and view and download measurement data. The TPSYS20 is either delivered with a TP02 or a TP08 probe:

• TP02 is equipped with a reference temperature junction, located in the tip of the needle. This allows the temperature difference between the heated section of the needle and the reference junction to be measured. The use of a reference junction makes the thermal conductivity measurement much less sensitive to specimen temperature drift.
• TP08 is a shorter needle, which makes it an excellent alternative when only small amounts of sample material are available. TP08 does not have a reference temperature junction.

The measurement with TPSYS20 complies with the IEEE Guide for Soil Thermal Resistivity Measurements (IEEE 442-2017) as well as with ASTM D5334 – 14 Standard Test Method for Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Soft Rock. TPSYS20 is suitable for use by ISO certified laboratories. The TPSYS20 is primarily intended for laboratory use. For outdoor soil measurements Hukseflux recommends the more robust albeit less accurate FTN, MTN and TNS systems designed for outdoor use. TPSYS20 is a complete measuring system. Several accessories are offered, including CRC series Calibration reference cylinders, a keyboard display and spare sets of needles and guiding tubes. For high-accuracy calibration, dedicated CRC01 Calibration Reference Cylinders are available. For insertion into hard material types or for casting into plastics, cement and backfill materials, GT Series Guiding tubes can be applied.

• CRC01 – calibration reference cylinder for TP02 and TP08
• GT01 – a spare set of 5 guiding tubes for TP08
• GT02 – a spare set of 5 guiding tubes for TP02
• TP02 – a spare thermal needle probe
• TP08 – a spare thermal needle probe