Calibration of a Heat Flux Sensor Up to 200 kW/m2 in a Spherical Blackbody Cavity

Published

January 1, 2002

Author(s)

A V. Murthy, Benjamin K. Tsai, Robert D. Saunders

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a comparative study of narrow view-angle and wide view-angle calibrations of a water-cooled Schmidt-Boelter heat-flux sensor. The narrow view-angle calibration, up to a heat flux level of 50 kW/m2, was conducted using the 25 mm Variable Temperature Blackbody (VTBB) facility. An electrical substitution standard was used as a transfer standard to determine the flux level at the sensor plane. The wide view-angle calibration was conducted by placing the sensor inside the radiating cavity of a spherical blackbody. The calibration in the spherical blackbody is based on the heat-flux derived from the Stefan-Boltzmann equation using the blackbody temperature measured from a type-S thermocouple. The calibration covered an extended range from 50 kW/m2 to 200 kW/m2. Results of the calibration of the heat-flux sensor using the two different techniques are presented. A discussion of the problems associated with calibrating sensors at high heat-flux levels by inserting the sensor inside a blackbody cavity is also presented.

Citation

Thermal Measurements: The Foundation of Fire Standards

Volume

1427

Publisher Info

ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA

Pub Type

Books

Keywords

blackbodies, heat flux, sensors, thermal radiation

Citation

Murthy, A. , Tsai, B. and Saunders, R. (2002), Calibration of a Heat Flux Sensor Up to 200 kW/m² in a Spherical Blackbody Cavity, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA (Accessed October 8, 2025)