THERMOWELL VIBRATION

When fluid flows past a thermowell, the change in fluid momentum creates
a turbulent wake behind the well. Vortices form in this wake, and shed from
alternate sides of the well. The vortex shedding frequency (or Wake
frequency) is linear with flow velocity and inversely proportional to
thermowell tip diameter.
These shedding vortices impose on the thermowell, a periodic force
comprising two components (i) a lift force, normal to direction of flow,
oscillating at the wake frequency, and (ii) a smaller drag force, parallel to
flow, oscillating at twice the wake frequency.
These vortex-induced forces, which cause thermowell vibration, are
normally small with the magnitude of the vibrations generally negligible.
However, as the wake frequency (fw) approaches the natural frequency (fn)
of the thermowell (within 20%), it can shift and lock-in to the natural
frequency. When fw = fn, the thermowell goes into resonance, and vibrating
forces increase rapidly. The resultant vibrations can cause mechanical
failure of the well.
The Murdock calculations (and companion ASME PTC 19.3) consider only
the oscillating lift force as the cause of thermowell vibration. The ratio of
wake to natural frequency is restricted to a maximum of 0.8 to eliminate the
possibility of resonance.
Although the oscillating drag force is small, it can force the thermowell into
resonance at lower velocities because it occurs at twice the wake
frequency. For high-density fluids (liquids and high pressure steam), the
Murdock analysis is not adequate. When the oscillating drag component is
included, the velocity rating can be reduced by up to 50%.
The calculations included herein are modified to include in-line resonance
due to the oscillating drag force, correction for the magnification ratio and
use of the actual natural frequency of the well rather than the estimated
value.
The results of these calculations should only be used as a guide in the
selection of the correct thermowell. Other variables, like corrosion, should
be evaluated and influence the decision.

Thermowell Velocity Rating

(Program Ver. 4.2a)
Company:
Project No:

Tag #:
Date:
Rev:

Reference:
U

d
A

FLUID DATA

CONSTANTS
Air

Kf

2.01

t/A

0.01

Operating Temperature

To

2200

K1

0.079

t/B

0.01

Operating Pressure

Po

200

psig

K2

15.7

FA

3.5

Fluid Velocity

85

ft/sec

K3

2.679

FB

3.5

4.586

424

Hz

299

Hz

Fluid

WELL DATA

ft3/lb

CALCULATIONS

Well Material

Natural Frequency @ To
Frequency Ratio

fn
fw
r

0.71

in

Magnification Factor

Fm

1.99

in

Max Length @ V (r=0.8)

Um

10.6

lb/in3

Max Velocity @ U (r=0.8)

Vm

96

Max Static Pressure

Pm

3167

psig

Max Stress Length

Ls

40.32

in

Max Stress Velocity

Vs

342.8

fps

304

Unsupported Length

10.00

in

Wake Frequency

Bore Diameter

0.500

in

Tip Diameter

0.750

Root Diameter
Specific Weight @ To

0.760

0.112

Mod of Elasticity @ To

50.0

psi x 10

Allowable Stress @ To

40.0

psi x 103

NOTES

Wall thickness is less than recommended

Well taper is less than recommended

These calculations are performed according to the paper "Power Test Code Thermometer Wells" by J. W. Murdock, and also
meet the requirements of ASME PTC 19.3-1998. The program supplies results which should only be used as a guide for
thermowell design. Thermo-Kinetics assumes no responsibility for failure of a well based on the results of these calculations,
and accepts no liability direct or consequential, arising from error or misinformation supplied herein, or due to program misuse.

in
ft/sec

TABLES
SPECIFIC WEIGHT (lb/in3)
Material

FLUID VELOCITY CALCULATED from FLOW DATA

Fluid

Air

V = 3.0558Q/ID

Code

70F

700F

900F

1100F

C.Steel

105

0.284

0.280

0.279

0.278

304 SS

304

0.290

0.286

0.285

310 SS

310

0.290

0.286

0.285

316 SS

316

0.290

0.286

321 SS

321

0.290

446 SS

446

F22 SS

1300F

1500F

0.284

0.283

0.281

0.284

0.283

0.281

0.285

0.284

0.283

0.281

0.286

0.285

0.284

0.283

0.281

0.270

0.267

0.266

0.264

0.263

F22

0.290

0.286

0.285

0.284

0.283

0.281

Pipe I.D.

ID

2.000

in

Hast B-3

HSB-3

0.334

0.330

0.328

0.326

0.325

0.324

Flow Rate

10.0

SCFM

Hast C-22

HSC-22

0.323

0.319

0.317

0.316

0.314

0.313

Velocity

7.6

ft/sec

Hast C-276

HSC-276

0.323

0.319

0.317

0.316

0.314

0.313

HSC-4

0.323

0.319

0.317

0.316

0.314

0.313

Hast X

HSX

0.297

0.293

0.291

0.290

0.289

0.287

Inconel

INC

0.307

0.302

0.300

0.299

0.297

0.296

Monel

MON

0.319

0.313

0.311

0.308

0.306

0.313

0.311

0.309

Hast C-4

Specific Volume of Water (ft3/lb)

(T in F)

60

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Nickel

NIK

0.322

0.316

0.315

0.016

0.016

0.016

0.017

0.017

0.018

0.020

0.024

0.037

Titanium

TIT

0.163

0.162

0.161

70F
29.5
30.6
28.3
28.3
28.3
28.3
29.2
30.6
31.4
29.9
29.8
29.8
28.5
30.3
26.0
30.0
15.5

200F
28.8
29.8
27.7
27.7
27.7
27.7
28.7
29.8
30.6
29.2
29.1
29.1
27.8
29.5
25.4
29.3
15.0

300F
28.3
29.4
27.1
27.1
27.1
27.1
28.3
29.4
30.1
28.7
28.6
28.6
27.4
29.1
25.0
28.8
14.6

400F
27.7
29.1
26.6
26.6
26.6
26.6
27.7
28.8
29.8
28.4
28.3
28.3
27.1
28.8
24.7
28.5
14.0

500F
27.3
28.6
26.1
26.1
26.1
26.1
27.0
28.3
29.3
28.0
27.9
27.9
26.6
28.3
24.3
28.1
13.3

600F
26.7
28.3
25.4
25.4
25.4
25.4
26.0
27.7
29.0
27.7
27.6
27.6
26.4
28.1
24.1
27.8
12.6

700F
25.5
27.8
24.8
24.8
24.8
24.8
24.8
27.1
28.6
27.2
27.1
27.1
25.9
27.6
23.7
27.3
11.9

800F
24.2
27.2
24.1
24.1
24.1
24.1
23.1
26.3
27.9
26.6
26.5
26.5
25.4
27.0
23.1
26.7
11.2

900F
22.4
26.6
23.4
23.4
23.4
23.4
21.1
25.6
27.3
26.0
25.9
25.9
24.8
26.4
22.6
26.1

1000F
20.4
26.0
22.7
22.7
22.7
22.7
18.6
24.6
26.7
25.4
25.3
25.3
24.2
25.8
22.1
25.5

1100F
18.0
25.6
22.0
22.0
22.0
22.0
15.6
23.7
26.2
25.0
24.9
24.9
23.7
25.3
21.7
25.1

1200F

1300F

1400F

1500F

24.9
21.3
21.3
21.3
21.3
12.2
22.5
25.6
24.4
24.3
24.3
23.2
24.7
21.2
24.5

24.3
20.7
20.7
20.7
20.7

23.6
19.3
19.3
19.3
19.3

22.8
17.9
17.9
17.9
17.9

21.1
25.0
23.8
23.7
23.7
22.6
24.1
20.7
23.9

19.4
24.2
23.0
22.9
22.9
21.9
23.3
20.0
23.1

23.4
22.3
22.2
22.2
21.2
22.6
19.4
22.4

70F
14.3
23.3
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
18.6
21.4
31.4
28.6
27.3
26.7
23.3
23.3
16.7
10.0
14.3

200F
14.3
20.5
16.7
17.6
17.3
18.0
18.5
21.4
31.4
26.7
24.9
24.6
21.0
21.1
14.6
10.0
12.4

300F
14.3
18.3
15.0
16.1
15.6
16.5
18.3
20.9
30.3
24.6
23.0
23.0
19.2
19.9
13.6
10.0
10.3

400F
14.2
16.5
13.8
15.1
14.3
15.3
18.2
20.6
28.8
22.9
21.3
21.7
17.7
19.1
13.4
10.0
8.8

500F
13.6
15.0
12.9
14.3
13.3
14.3
18.1
20.5
27.4
21.5
19.9
20.8
16.5
18.6
13.2
10.0
7.6

600F
12.8
14.1
12.3
13.7
12.6
13.5
18.0
20.4
26.3
20.4
18.7
20.1
15.7
18.4
13.1
10.0
6.5

700F
11.9
13.6
11.7
13.3
12.1
13.0
17.9
20.0
25.4
19.6
17.8
19.6
15.1
18.2
13.0

800F
9.4
13.5
11.2
12.9
11.8
12.6

900F
5.0
13.5
10.8
12.5
11.5
12.3

1000F

1100F

1200F

1300F

1400F

1500F

13.5
10.4
9.9
11.3
12.0

11.0
9.8

7.5
6.1

5.1
3.7

3.6
2.3

2.5
1.4

11.1
6.9

7.4
3.6

4.1
1.7

2.3
0.8

1.3
0.3

19.3
24.8
19.0
17.1
19.1
14.7
18.0
12.7

15.8

7.8

3.2

1.2

18.6
16.7

18.3
16.5

17.5
15.0

9.6
9.8

H2
HCl
H2S

0.006
0.095
0.096

MODULUS of ELASTICITY (x 106 psi)

Material
C.Stl
HR160
304 SS
310 SS
316 SS
321 SS
446 SS
F22 SS
Hast B-3
Hast C-22
Hast C-276
Hast C-4
Hast X
Inconel
Monel
Nickel
Titanium

UNS#

Code

SA-675

105

N12160

160

S30400

304

S31008

310

S31600

316

S32100

321

S44627

446

K21590

F22

N10675

HSB-3

N06022

HSC-22

N10276

HSC-276

N06455

HSC-4

N06002

HSX

N06690

INC

N04400

MON

N02200

NIK

R50400

TIT

ALLOWABLE STRESS (x 103 psi)

Material
C.Steel
HR160
304 SS
310 SS
316 SS
321 SS
446 SS
F22 SS
Hast B-3
Hast C-22
Hast C-276
Hast C-4
Hast X
Inconel
Monel
Nickel
Titanium

UNS#

105

N12160

160

S30400

304

S31008

310

S31600

316

S32100

321

S44627

To
ft
in

446

K21590

F22

N10675

HSB-3

N06022

HSC-22

N10276

HSC-276

N06455

HSC-4

N06002

HSX

N06690

INC

N04400

MON

N02200

NIK

R50400

TIT

CONVERSION FACTORS
From
m
mm

Code

SA-675

DENSITY of LIQUIDS (lb/ft3)

14.5
8.0

DENSITY of GASES at STP (60 F & 14.7 psia) (lb/ft3)

X
3.281
0.03937

Water
Sea Water
Amyl Alcohol

62.4
64.2
55.0

Caustic Soda (30%)

Caustic Soda (50%)
H2SO4 (100%)

82.3
95.4
114.7

Air
Acetylene
Ammonia

C2H2
NH3

0.0764 Hydrogen
0.073 Hydrogen Chloride
0.044 Hydrogen Sulphide

m/s

ft/s

3.281

Butyl Alcohol

45.3

H2SO4 (20%)

71.0

Argon

Methane

ft3/lb

16.018

Benzine

56.0

Nitric Acid (95%)

93.5

Butane

Ar
C4H10

0.103

m3/kg

0.162

Methyl Chloride

Mpa

psi

145.04

Gasoline

42.0

Nitric Acid (7%)

64.7

Butylene

C4H8

0.148

Nitrogen

Kpa

psi

0.145

Kerosine

50.5

HCl (10%)

66.5

Carbon Dioxide

CO2

0.113

Nitric Oxide

g/cc

lb/in3

0.03613

Carbon Monoxide

0.078

Nitrous Oxide

kg/m3

lb/ft3

0.06243

Chlorine

CO
Cl2

0.184

USGPM IGPM

0.8327

Ethane

C2H6

Ethylene

C2H4
He

Gas Density Calculation (STP = 60F & 14.7 psia)

Density (@ STP)

To (F)

Po (psig)

Dens (@To/Po)

0.113

60

0.113

Helium

CH4

0.045

CH3Cl

0.133

N2

0.075

NO
N2O

0.078

Oxygen

O2

0.082

0.081

Pentane

C5H12

0.088

0.073

Propane

C3H8

0.118

0.010

Sulphur Dioxide

SO2

0.179

0.114

PIPE DIMENSIONS
Pipe Inside Diameter - inches
Size

O.D.

1/2"
3/4"
1"
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3-1/2
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
42

0.840
1.050
1.315
1.660
1.900
2.375
2.875
3.500
4.000
4.500
5.563
6.625
8.625
10.750
12.750
14.000
16.000
18.000
20.000
22.000
24.000
26.000
28.000
30.000
32.000
34.000
36.000
42.000

(Welded & Seamless Steel Pipe)

SCHEDULE
5S
0.710
0.920
1.185
1.530
1.770
2.245
2.709
3.334
3.834
4.334
5.345
6.407
8.407
10.482
12.438
13.688
15.670
17.670
19.624
21.624
23.572

10S
0.674
0.884
1.097
1.442
1.682
2.157
2.635
3.260
3.760
4.260
5.295
6.357
8.329
10.420
12.390
13.624
15.624
17.500
19.500
21.624
23.500

29.500

29.376

29.376

10
0.674
0.884
1.097
1.442
1.682
2.157
2.635
3.260
3.760
4.260
5.295
6.357
8.329
10.420
12.390
13.500
15.500
17.500
19.500
21.500
23.500
25.376
27.376
29.376
31.376
33.376
35.376

20

8.125
10.250
12.250
13.250
15.500
15.376
19.250
21.250
23.250
25.000
27.000
29.000
31.000
33.000
35.000

30

8.071
10.090
12.090
13.376
15.376
17.124
19.000
21.000
22.876
22.876
26.750
28.750
30.750
32.750
34.750

STD
0.622
0.824
1.049
1.380
1.610
2.067
2.469
3.068
3.548
4.026
5.047
6.065
7.981
10.020
12.000
13.250
15.250
17.250
19.250
21.250
23.250
25.750
27.750
29.750
31.750
33.750
35.750
41.750

40
0.622
0.824
1.049
1.380
1.610
2.067
2.469
3.068
3.548
4.026
5.047
6.065
7.981
10.020
11.938
13.124
15.000
16.876
18.814
22.626

30.624
32.624
34.500

60

7.813
9.750
11.626
12.812
14.688
16.500
18.376
20.250
22.064

XH
0.546
0.742
0.957
1.278
1.500
1.939
2.323
2.900
3.364
3.826
4.813
5.761
7.625
9.560
11.750
13.000
15.000
17.000
19.000
21.000
23.000
25.000
27.000
29.000
31.000
33.000
35.000
41.000

80
0.546
0.742
0.957
1.278
1.500
1.939
2.323
2.900
3.364
3.826
4.813
5.761
7.625
9.562
11.374
12.500
14.312
16.126
17.938
19.750
21.564

100

120

7.437
9.312
11.062
12.124
14.938
15.688
17.567
19.250
20.938

3.624
4.563
5.501
7.187
9.062
10.750
11.812
13.562
15.250
17.000
18.750
20.376

140

7.001
8.750
10.500
11.500
13.124
14.876
16.500
18.250
19.876

160
0.466
0.612
0.815
1.160
1.338
1.687
2.125
2.624

XXH
0.252
0.434
0.599
0.896
1.100
1.503
1.771
2.300

3.438
4.313
5.189
6.813
8.500
10.126
11.188
12.812
14.438
16.064
17.750
19.314

3.152
4.063
4.897
6.875
9.750
11.750

THERMOWELL VELOCITY RATING

STEAM TABLES

(extracted from ASME Steam Tables for Industrial Use, 1997 Edition)

Specific Volume (ft3/lb)

Temperature (F)

Pressure
(psia)
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
65
75
100
200
250
300
400
500
600
675
700
800
900
1000
1200
1400
1550
1600
1800
2000
2500
3000
3100
3500
4000
5000
7500
10000
15000

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016

38.85
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.016
0.017
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016
0.016

44.99
29.90
22.36
17.86
14.81
12.65
11.04
9.782
8.769
6.678
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017
0.017

51.04
33.96
25.43
20.34
16.89
14.45
12.62
11.21
10.06
7.698
6.645
4.936
2.361
1.861
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.018
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.019
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.018
0.017

57.04
37.99
28.46
22.78
18.93
16.21
14.17
12.58
11.31
8.667
7.494
5.588
2.725
2.154
1.767
1.285
0.993
0.795
0.693
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.019
0.019
0.018

63.03
41.99
31.47
25.20
20.95
17.94
15.67
13.94
12.53
10.18
8.320
6.217
3.059
2.430
2.005
1.477
1.159
0.946
0.829
0.793
0.678
0.587
0.514
0.402
0.318
0.272
0.024
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.023
0.022
0.022
0.021
0.021
0.019

69.01
45.98
34.47
27.60
22.95
19.66
17.20
15.28
13.74
10.55
9.135
6.834
3.379
2.693
2.227
1.651
1.304
1.073
0.946
0.908
0.783
0.686
0.609
0.491
0.406
0.357
0.342
0.291
0.249
0.169
0.098
0.092
0.031
0.029
0.027
0.025
0.023
0.022

74.98
49.96
37.46
30.01
24.95
21.38
18.70
16.62
14.95
11.49
9.945
7.446
3.693
2.948
2.442
1.817
1.441
1.190
1.053
1.011
0.877
0.771
0.688
0.562
0.472
0.420
0.403
0.350
0.307
0.230
0.176
0.167
0.136
0.105
0.059
0.032
0.027
0.024

80.95
53.95
40.45
32.40
26.95
23.09
20.20
17.96
16.15
12.41
10.75
8.053
4.003
3.198
2.653
1.978
1.573
1.302
1.154
1.109
0.964
0.850
0.761
0.626
0.529
0.473
0.456
0.399
0.353
0.272
0.216
0.208
0.176
0.146
0.104
0.051
0.036
0.028

(w)

1000
86.92
57.93
43.44
34.80
28.94
24.80
21.70
19.29
17.35
13.34
11.55
8.658
4.310
3.446
2.861
2.136
1.701
1.411
1.252
1.204
1.048
0.926
0.831
0.686
0.582
0.522
0.503
0.443
0.394
0.308
0.249
0.240
0.207
0.175
0.131
0.074
0.050
0.034

1100
92.88
61.91
46.42
37.19
30.94
26.51
23.19
20.62
18.55
14.26
12.36
9.260
4.615
3.692
3.066
2.292
1.827
1.518
1.347
1.296
1.130
1.000
0.898
0.743
0.632
0.568
0.548
0.484
0.432
0.340
0.277
0.268
0.233
0.199
0.153
0.092
0.063
0.041

1200
98.84
65.88
49.41
39.58
32.93
28.22
24.69
21.95
19.75
15.19
13.16
9.862
4.918
3.936
3.270
2.446
1.952
1.623
1.441
1.387
1.211
1.072
0.963
0.798
0.681
0.613
0.592
0.524
0.468
0.370
0.304
0.293
0.256
0.221
0.172
0.107
0.076
0.048

1300
104.8
69.86
52.39
41.98
34.92
29.93
26.18
23.28
20.94
16.11
13.95
10.46
5.221
4.179
3.474
2.600
2.076
1.726
1.534
1.477
1.290
1.143
1.028
0.853
0.728
0.656
0.634
0.562
0.503
0.399
0.329
0.318
0.278
0.241
0.189
0.121
0.087
0.055

1400

1500

110.76
73.83
55.37
44.37
36.95
31.63
27.68
24.61
22.14
17.03
14.75
11.06
5.522
4.421
3.676
2.753
2.199
1.830
1.627
1.566
1.368
1.213
1.091
0.906
0.774
0.699
0.677
0.599
0.537
0.427
0.353
0.341
0.300
0.260
0.205
0.133
0.096
0.062

116.72
77.81
58.36
46.76
38.90
33.34
29.17
25.94
23.33
17.95
15.55
11.66
5.823
4.663
3.878
2.905
2.321
1.932
1.718
1.654
1.446
1.283
1.154
0.959
0.820
0.740
0.716
0.635
0.570
0.454
0.376
0.364
0.320
0.279
0.220
0.144
0.105
0.069