


Thermtest
Transient Hot-Wire THW-L1
The Transient Hot Wire (THW-L1) is a laboratory instrument for thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat of liquids and PCMs.
Best For Liquids and PCMs
ASTM D7896-19Standard Test |
-160 °C to 300 °CTemperature |
Up to 35 barPressure |
Features
The Transient Hot-Wire (THW-L1) Liquid Thermal Conductivity Meter is an advanced measurement system for primary measurements of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat instrument for measurement of liquids and PCMs in accordance with ASTM D7896-19. The THW-L1 was designed with speed and operational simplicity in mind. With a single measurement of 1 second in duration, small volumes of Liquids, Pastes, and Powders can be accurately and precisely measured for thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat. The THW-L1 utilizes a non-stationary measurement approach and rapid test times to limit convective effects for samples with a wide range of viscosities. The THW sensor consists of a thin heating wire 40 mm in length and is completely inserted into the sample to be tested. The sensor wire is heated using a constant current source (q) and the temperature rise is recorded by monitoring the change in electrical resistance of the wire. The slope (m) from the plot of temperature rise vs. logarithm of time is used in the calculation of thermal conductivity (λ). For liquid samples of high thermal conductivity, the lower the slope. For liquid samples of low thermal conductivity, the higher the slope.
- Follows international standard ASTM-D7896-19
- Automated, powerful & accurate
- Minimum effects of convection
- Cell Pressure up to 35 bar
- Integrated temperature control
- Unique wire clamping for easy replacement
Specification
| Models | THW-L1 | THW-L1S | THW-L1E |
| Materials | Liquids and PCMs | Liquids and PCMs | Liquids and PCMs |
| Thermal conductivity (W/m•K) | 0.01 to 2 | 0.01 to 2 | 0.01 to 2 |
| Additional Properties | Thermal diffusivity and specific heat | Thermal diffusivity and specific heat | Thermal diffusivity and specific heat |
| Viscosity range (cP) | 0.001 to 10,000,000 | 0.001 to 10,000,000 | 0.001 to 10,000,000 |
| Sample size (mL) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Test time (seconds) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Accuracy (Thermal conductivity)* | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| Repeatability (Thermal conductivity)* | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Temperature range (°C) | 10 to 200 | -40 to 200 | -160 | -40 | 0 to 300 |
| Pressure (bar) | Up to 20 | Up to 20 | Up to 35 |
| External cooling apparatus required | No | Yes | Yes |
| Standard | ASTM D7896-19 | ASTM D7896-19 | ASTM D7896-19 |
*All performance data is verified with ASTM Type II Water (IAPWS)
Applications
Output results of THW-L1 are thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and calculated specific heat. Low back pressure was applied to the fluids, to allow measurements over their boiling point.
Thermal Conductivity of Water

Deviations from reference values:
Water < 2%
Thermal Conductivity of Heptane

Deviations from reference values:
Heptane < 3%
Thermal Diffusivity of Water

Deviations from reference values:
Water < 2%
Thermal Diffusivity of Heptane

Deviations from reference values:
Heptane < 2%
Calculated Specific Heat Capacity
Deviations from reference values:
Water < 2%
Heptane < 5%
Low back pressure was applied to allow measurements over their boiling point.
Thermal Conductivity of Ethylene Glycol

Deviations from reference values:
Ethylene glycol < 1%
Thermal Diffusivity of Ethylene Glycol

Deviations from reference values:
Ethylene glycol < 1%
Calculated Specific Heat Capacity
Deviations from reference values:
Ethylene glycol < 2%
Citation:
Lemmon, E.W., Bell, I.H., Huber, M.L., McLinden, M.O. (2018). NIST Standard Reference Database 23: Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties-REFPROP, Version 10.0. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Standard Reference Data Program, Gaithersburg.
Sample Measurements
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The SampleThe liquid is poured into the sample cell, the required volume is 20 ml. The THW-L1’s ability to limit convection, using short test times, allows accuracy measurements of a large range of samples, widely varying viscosities. The sample cell can then be back filled to pressures up to 35 bar, for testing liquids past their boiling points. Approximate Time: 1 minute |
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Insert SensorFor testing with temperature, the liquid cell is inserted into the integrated temperature platform. Approximate Time: < 1 minute |
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Run ExperimentThe THW-L1 Software automatically controls isothermal steps of temperature from -150 to 300°C. Approximate Time: < 1 minute |
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Exporting ResultsSmart THW-L1 Windows Software verifies quality of results and recommends changes if needed. Results report can be generated, saved, and exported to excel. For convenience results may also be emailed. Approximate Time: 1 minute |
Related Research Papers
Find related research papers:
Thermal Conductivity of Suspensions of Carbon Nanotubes in Water
An investigation on the enhancement of the thermal conductivity of water with the addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, (C-MWNT). C-MWNT occupied 0.6% of the volume in the test sample for every…
Investigation of the Thermal Conductivity and the Viscosity of Carbon Black Heat Transfer Nanofluids
Seven distinct samples of nanofluids consisting of different concentrations of spherical graphitized carbon black in an ethylene glycol solution were analyzed to determine their thermal and rheological behavior.
Downloads
| Thermtest-THW-L1-Brochure | DownloadThermtest-THW-L1-Brochure |
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