Ceramic Thermocouples

Rowan Technologies is currently working on the development of ceramic-based thermocouples (CT's) - both legs of the thermocouples are fabricated from ceramics as compared with metals for conventional thermocouple sensors.

These are capable of measuring temperatures in excess of 1600°C in aggressive gaseous and molten environments for extended periods and to a high degree of accuracy.

The thermocouple technology was originally developed by Rowan Technologies Ltd in the 1990s. 

To achieve accuracies as good as existing metallic thermocouples, further work is still required to optimise the electrical ‘consistency’ of the ceramic materials. This may well require some degree of collaboration with relevant ceramic manufacturers.

For thin-coating thermocouples (for gas turbine application), although some preliminary tests have already taken place, further fundamental research is still needed on the electrical behaviour of the ceramic coatings before field tests can begin.

Rowan Technologies is looking for collaborators to fund the commercial development of the ceramic thermocouples and to exploit its market potential. Further information can be obtained by contacting Dr. David Farrell at mail@rowantechnologies.co.uk.   See Publications.

Remote Sacrifical Anodes

Rowan Technologies developed remote sacrifical anodes (RSAs) for cathodic protection systems in 2002.  The RSAs (magnesium or zinc) are buried in the ground away from the structure to be protected and the current is carried by copper cables to where it is required. RSAs can be coupled in series to increase the driving voltage to the embedded CP system. These have been successfully used on embedded iron in stonework and steel reinforcements in concrete.