Multipoint Thermometers

Multipoint Thermometers

Multipoint thermometers are engineered temperature assemblies that place multiple RTD and/or thermocouple sensors along a defined insertion length to produce a detailed temperature profile rather than a single point measurement. They are designed for critical applications - from low to high pressure process reactors to storage tanks - where temperature gradients directly influence reaction control, product quality, safety margins, and asset protection. By capturing the thermal profile, multipoint systems support optimized control strategies and improved availability, efficiency, and safety.

The multipoint approach is especially beneficial where stratification, hot spots, or catalyst-bed behavior cannot be inferred from a single measurement elevation. Profiling allows faster detection of developing excursions and supports tighter control during transients such as startup, shutdown, feed changes, or abnormal heat release. Engineering execution - materials, mechanical design, heat treatment, and construction methods - becomes central to achieving both measurement performance and long-term mechanical integrity.

Portfolio structure is often organized around mechanical form and invasiveness. Endress+Hauser describes variants such as MultiSens Flex (3D-customizable flexible sensors with or without thermowell), MultiSens Linear (linear array with a main thermowell), MultiSens Bundle (linear array on rope or in conduit), and MultiSens Slim (minimally invasive). Assemblies can be supplied with or without a temperature transmitter, and with options such as diagnostic chambers, alongside RTD or TC sensor sets including iTHERM ProfileSens technology.

Diagnostic chambers extend the function from measurement to protective monitoring. In the described design, the chamber can contain potential process leakage and provide additional process information to support predictive maintenance and lifecycle planning. A flexible design with replaceable parts and configurations with or without thermowells improves maintenance flexibility and helps reduce downtime by enabling targeted service actions.

Typical applications include hydrocarbon processing, petrochemical and chemical reactors, high-pressure vessels, and storage tanks/silos where temperature profile measurement is necessary for process control and safe operating envelopes. Selection is driven by required profile geometry (straight vs. 3D), pressure/temperature/chemistry constraints, invasiveness limits, sealing philosophy, and the desired diagnostic and transmitter architecture for the measurement chain.

Forberg Smith, an exclusive authorized representative of sales and service for Endress+Hauser.