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HOT WIRE ANEMOMETER

A hot-wire anemometer measures local instantaneous velocity based on

principles of heat transfer. A hot-wire probe is used in gas flows, while a

hot-film is used for liquid flow. The hot-wire has a limitation that it is

insensitive to the flow direction. Further, it has a non-linear input-output

relationship which makes its sensitivity non-uniform over any velocityrange. In particular, the sensitivity decreases with increasing velocity. The

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hot-wire probe is a platinum-coated tungsten wire, typically of diameter and

about 5 m length, supported between highly conducting prongs. Tungsten

has high temperature coefficient of resistance (i.e., resistance increases

rapidly with temperature) and the platinum coating affords strength as well

as protection against corrosion of the thin wire.

Constant Temperature Type Anemometer

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Constant Current Type Anemometer

Current across the wire exposed to flow is kept constant. Variation in

resistance of wire caused by fluid flow is measured by monitoring the voltagedrop across filament. Figure below shows the basic circuitry of constant

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current anemometer. It has few disadvantages such as it is difficult to use,

its output decreases with velocity, there is very high exist risk of probe

burnout.

The calibration curve for the constant current type anemometer is shown

below.