What Does
Pyrometer Mean?
A pyrometer is a device that is used for measuring high temperatures by reading the amount of radiation that is emitted by a hot body or material. It is a non-conductive device, thus making it less prone to corrosion. However, it can be used to infer the degree of corrosion in structures such as pipelines and storage vessels.
Corrosionpedia Explains Pyrometer
The operating philosophy of a modern pyrometer is based on an optical system and a detector. The optical system facilitates thermal radiation transfer to the detector. The detector then generates an output signal representing the target object. This functionality is based on the Stefan–Boltzmann law, the Stefan–Boltzmann constant and the emissivity ε of the object.
This output is used to determine an object's temperature from a distance, removing the need for physical contact between the pyrometer and the object. This unique feature is what distinguishes the pyrometer from other temperature reading devices such as thermometers and thermocouples.
Some types of pyrometers are thin filament pyrometers and soot pyrometers. These are primarily used in gaseous applications to obtain more precise readings with the intention of preventing high temperature gaseous corrosion.