A new Peltier sensor for measuring fluids thermal conductivity

This paper is devoted to describing a new sensor and a new method allowing to measure the thermal conductivity of numerous fluids. The prominent advantage of the device is a self compensation against temperature owing to an appropriate choice of the involved materials. Moreover as the sensor works by way of both Peltier and Seebeck effects, measurements can be carried out with accuracy according to an average temperature increase of the device lower than 5 K. Only a substantially lessened Joule power (5 mW) is featured by the device. A coherent design rationale is formulated and the various stages in the technical development of the system are delineated. Several cases are discussed with a view to spreading the field of application of such a method. Notable applications include thermal conductivity gages for measuring pressures in high-vacuum systems, tank gauging for liquids featuring fire hazard and low velocities measurements occurring in natural convection mechanisms. Then versatile industrial applications can be expected within the next years.