Called ‘μTMapS’ (or) ‘multi point temperature measurement sensor,’ it provides automated measurements that can replace existing heat process control systems which cause expensive forced shutdowns and retirement of components well before their designed life, it claimed.

High-temperature processes are critical to oil and gas, chemical, power generation and manufacturing industries. However, the control of these processes has been a challenge due to the complexity in the processes.

The researchers at the Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation developed an ultrasonic waves-based sensor that can accurately measure temperatures in the range of -100°C to 1,400°C. It also generates real-time data through industrial Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

“Any industry that uses a lot of heat to process materials such as metals or polymers has to ensure that the entire furnace has a uniform temperature. However, existing technologies have a lot of gaps. Our team set out to address these gaps,” said Prof Krishnan Balasubramaniam, Professor and head of the Centre.

The technology has been licenced to Xyma Analytics, a start-up incubated by IIT-M, which has been field testing it for the past one year to establish its reliability and performance, he said, adding that they hoped to commercially introduce it within the next one year.