THW-L1 Transient Hot Wire

The Transient Hot Wire (THW-L1) is widely used for the accurate measurement of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity of liquids and PCMs.

Best for liquids and PCMs

THW-L1

The THW-L1 following ASTM D7896-19, is widely used for the accurate measurement of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat of liquids and PCMs. This versatility is greatly expanded with the addition of Thermtest’s proprietary Temperature Platform (TP) which is appreciated by academic and commercial users alike.

The Transient Hot-Wire (THW) has been used for the testing of liquids for more than 30 years, making it one of the most published methods for measuring thermal conductivity of liquids available

Features

THW-L1 Features

The Transient Hot-Wire (THW-L1) Liquid Thermal Conductivity Meter is an advanced measurement system for primary measurements of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat instrument for measurement of liquids and PCMs in accordance with ASTM D7896-19.

The THW-L1 was designed with speed and operational simplicity in mind. With a single measurement of 1 second in duration, small volumes of Liquids, Pastes, and Powders can be accurately and precisely measured for thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat. The THW-L1 utilizes a non-stationary measurement approach and rapid test times to limit convective effects for samples with a wide range of viscosities.

The THW sensor consists of a thin heating wire 40 mm in length and is completely inserted into the sample to be tested. The sensor wire is heated using a constant current source (q) and the temperature rise is recorded by monitoring the change in electrical resistance of the wire. The slope (m) from the plot of temperature rise vs. logarithm of time is used in the calculation of thermal conductivity (λ). For liquid samples of high thermal conductivity, the lower the slope. For liquid samples of low thermal conductivity, the higher the slope.

THW equation

Specifications

Materials

Liquids and PCMs

Measurement Capabilities

Bulk Properties

Thermal Conductivity

0.01 to 2 W/m•K

Additional Properties

Thermal Diffusivity & Specific Heat

Viscosity Range

0.001 to 10,000,000 cP

Measurement Time

1 second | < 5 seconds

Reproducibility

± 1%

Accuracy*

± 5%

Temperature Range

-150 to 300°C

Pressure

Up to 35 bar

Smallest Volume

20 mL

Standard

ASTM D7896-19

*All performance data is verified with ASTM Type II Water (IAPWS)
Based on THW-L1 model used

Transient Hot-Wire Models (THW)

Models

THW-L1

THW-L1S

THW-L1E

Materials

Liquids and PCMs

Liquids and PCMs

Liquids and PCMs

Measurement Capabilities

Bulk Properties

Bulk Properties

Bulk Properties

Thermal Conductivity (W/m•K)

0.01 to 2

0.01 to 2

0.01 to 2

Additional Properties

Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat

Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat

Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat

Viscosity Range

0.001 to 10,000,000 cP

0.001 to 10,000,000 cP

0.001 to 10,000,000 cP

Measurement Time

1 second | < 5 seconds

1 second | < 5 seconds

1 second | < 5 seconds

Reproducibility

± 1%

± 1%

± 1%

Accuracy*

± 2%

± 2%

± 2%

Temperature Range

10 to 200°C

-50 to 200°C

-150 to 300°C

Pressure

Up to 20 bar

Up to 20 bar

Up to 35 bar

Smallest Volume

20 mL

20 mL

20 mL

Standard

ASTM D7896-19

ASTM D7896-19

ASTM D7896-19

External Cooling Apparatus Required

No

Yes

Yes

*All performance data is verified with ASTM Type II Water (IAPWS)

Optional THW-L1 Accessories

Paste and PCM Cell

Paste and PCM Cell

Special Phase Change Materials (PCM) with easy to load access. Unique spring design allows sample expansion and contraction, while ensuring sample is in constant contact with THW wire during measurement.
Observation Cell

Observation Cell

THW-L1 observation sample cell is used for liquids, powder, and paste testing. The cell has convenient glass ports for observing what is happening with your sample. Typical applications are phase separation, boiling or particle settling to name a few

Ambient Density Powder Cell

Ambient Density Powder Cell

The THW-L1 Ambient density Powder Cell is suitable for basic powder sample testing and ambient pressure.
Variable Density Powder Cell

Variable Density Powder Cell

THW-L1 test cell with screw-type compression system for varying the density of powder samples. Can also be used to ensure powders stay in contact with THW wire.
Vertical Cell Mount

Vertical Cell Mount

Convenient THW cell mount that can be attached to your THW-L1 for vertical sample loading. Ideal for the Paste/PCM and all Powder Cells.
cooling options

Cooling Options

THW-L1 Applications

Low back pressure was applied to the fluids, to allow measurements over their boiling point.

Thermal Conductivity of Water

thermal diffusivity of water THW-L1

Thermal Conductivity deviations from reference values:
Water < 2%

Thermal DIffusivity of Water

thermal diffusivity of water THW-L1

Thermal Diffusivity deviations from reference values:
Water < 2%

Thermal Conductivity of Heptane

Thermal conductivity Heptane

Thermal Conductivity deviations from reference values:
Heptane < 3%

Thermal Diffusivity of Heptane

thermal diffusivity of heptane

Thermal Diffusivity deviations from reference values:
Heptane < 2%

Calculated Specific Heat Capacity deviations from reference values:
Water < 2%
Heptane < 5%

Thermal Conductivity of Ethylene Glycol

Thermtest THW-L1 Thermal Conductivity Ethylene Glycol

Thermal Conductivity deviations from reference values:
Ethylene Glycol < 1%

Thermal Diffusivity of Ethylene Glycol

thermal diffusivity of Ethylene Glycol graph

Thermal Diffusivity deviations from reference values:
Ethylene Glycol < 1%

Calculated Specific Heat Capacity deviations from reference values:
Ethylene Glycol < 2%

Citation:
Lemmon, E.W., Bell, I.H., Huber, M.L., McLinden, M.O. (2018). NIST Standard Reference Database 23: Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties-REFPROP, Version 10.0. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Standard Reference Data Program, Gaithersburg.

Measurement Process

The Sample

The Sample

The liquid is poured into the sample cell, the required volume is 20 ml. The THW-L1’s ability to limit convection, using short test times, allows accuracy measurements of a large range of samples, widely varying viscosities. The sample cell can then be back filled to pressures up to 35 bar, for testing liquids past their boiling points.
Approximate Time: 1 min.
Insert Sensor

Insert Sensor

For testing with temperature, the liquid cell is inserted into the integrated temperature platform.

Approximate Time: < 1 min.

Run experiment

Run Experiment

The THW-L1 Software automatically controls isothermal steps of temperature from -150 to 300°C.

Approximate Time: < 1 min.

THW-L1 Export Results

Exporting Results

Smart THW-L1 Windows Software verifies quality of results and recommends changes if needed. Results report can be generated, saved, and exported to excel. For convenience results may also be emailed.

Approximate Time: 1 min.

Transient Hot Wire (THW) Models Comparison


mp-1 thw

THW-L1

thw-l2

Models

MP-1 with THW

THW-L1

THW-L2

MP-2 with THW-L3

Materials

Liquids, Pastes, and Powders

Liquids, Pastes, and Powders

Liquids, Pastes, and Powders

Liquids, Pastes, and Powders

Testing Modules

Bulk

Bulk

Bulk

Bulk

Other Materials

Solids with TPS

No

No

Solids with TPS, TLS

Thermal Conductivity

0.01 to 2 W/m•K

0.01 to 2 W/m•K

0.01 to 2 W/m•K

0.01 to 1 W/m•K

Sample Size

20 mL

20 mL

15 mL

15 mL

Additional Properties

Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat

Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat

No

No

Temperature Range

Room Temperature

10 to 200 °C | -50/-15/0 to 200 °C

-160/-45/-15/0 to 300 °C

10 to 200 °C | -50/-15/0 to 200 °C

-160/-45/-15/0 to 300 °C

-50 to 100 °C

Room Temperature

10 to 40 °C

Pressure

Up to 35 bar*

Up to 35 bar*

Ambient

Ambient

Test Times

1 second

1 second

1 second | < 5 seconds

1 second

Data-Points

400 points/second

100 points/second

60 points/second

60 points/second

Thermal Conductivity Accuracy

2 %

2 %

5 %

5 %

Repeatability

1 %

1 %

2 %

2 %

Standards

ASTM D7896-19

ASTM D7896-19

ASTM D7896-19

ASTM D7896-19

External Cooling Apparatus Required

No | Yes*

No | Yes*

Yes

Yes

*Depending on the Model used

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