Petrochemical

Securing the Future of Semiconductor Fabrication

The semiconductor landscape in the United States is undergoing a historic expansion. With Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) and Intel breaking ground in Arizona, Intel’s massive investment in Columbus, Ohio, and Texas Instruments’ growth in the South, the demand for “Ultra High Pure” (UHP) infrastructure has never been higher.

Thermal Instrument Company provides the critical flow measurement technology required to support these facilities. Our Model 600-9UHP is specifically engineered to meet the stringent cleanliness and precision standards of modern chip manufacturing, ensuring that the production gases powering the digital revolution remain uncontaminated and accurately metered.

In the semiconductor industry, gases are often as expensive as the silicon they process. Gases like Silane, Argon, Nitrogen, and Ultra-High-Purity (UHP) Hydrogen are critical to the deposition and etching phases of manufacturing. For over 30 years, Thermal Instrument Company has provided the specialized mass flow solutions required to manage these costly resources. With our unique redundant sensor design and UHP-grade surface  finishes, our meters are the standard for accuracy and provide years of service and Return on Investment (ROI) at the world’s leading fabrication facilities.

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Trusted by Global Leaders

Our thermal mass flow technology is integrated into the most sophisticated manufacturing environments on the planet. Thermal Instrument meters are currently operational at:

• Top Manufacturers: Texas Instruments, Samsung, GlobalFoundries, and Micron.
• Industry Suppliers: TSMC, Air Liquide, and other critical infrastructure partners.

The Precision Challenge in UHP Gas Delivery

Semiconductor fabrication relies on the delivery of ultra-clean production gases. Any obstruction or roughness in the flow path can lead to particulate buildup, pressure drops, or chemical contamination—all of which are “yield killers.”

Thermal Instrument Model 600-9UHP Solution:

The Model 600-9UHP is designed to address these challenges head-on:

• Unobstructed Flow Path: Our “straight-through” design eliminates internal components that could trap particles or cause turbulence.
• Superior Surface Finish: We provide a 15 Ra surface finish or better on all wetted surfaces, ensuring a smooth, mirror-like path that prevents gas stagnation and contamination.
• Negligible Pressure Drop: Because the meters are sized exactly to your existing lines, there is virtually no loss in pressure, maintaining the integrity of sensitive delivery systems.
• The only mass flow meters in the industry featuring redundant flow and temperature sensors. If a sensor fails, the redundant sensor is there and can take over, preventing costly process interruptions and improving ROI.
• Custom Calibration: Unlike “off-the-shelf” sensors, every Thermal Instrument meter is custom-manufactured and calibrated to the customer’s specific gas mixture and environmental requirements.

Versatility Across the Fab

From micro-dosing to bulk gas delivery, the Model 600-9UHP scales to meet the specific needs of different stages of production:

Beyond the Clean Room: Total Facility Solutions

While UHP gases are the lifeblood of the “front-end” process, Thermal Instrument mass flow meters are utilized throughout the entire facility to optimize operations:

• Compressed Air Management: Accurate monitoring of facility-wide compressed air to reduce energy waste.
• Natural Gas Sub-metering: Precise measurement for power generators and boilers critical to maintaining 24/7 production uptime.
• Cooling Systems: Monitoring water or gas flow in cooling loops to ensure expensive equipment operates within safe thermal margins.

Conclusion: A Trusted Partner in American Innovation

As the U.S. semiconductor industry scales, the need for a reliable, full-service measurement solution provider is paramount.

In alignment with the spirit of the CHIPS Act of 2022, Thermal Instrument remains steadfast in our commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing from our home in Trevose, PA. By sourcing from a network of premier suppliers within a 50-mile radius of the Philadelphia area, we ensure that every flow meter is not only made in the USA but built to support the local economy and small business initiatives. Our localized approach allows us to maintain total oversight of the manufacturing and NIST-traceable calibration processes, providing our partners with the high-precision instruments and domestic reliability necessary to power the next generation of American industry.

About Thermal Instrument Company

Thermal Instrument Company (TIC), established in 1959, headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania, provides leading edge instrumentation solutions for measuring the mass flow rate of liquids and gases.  TIC has been providing flow measurement solutions for more than 60 years to a variety of industries across the globe, and has an installed base in excess of 20,000 thermal mass flow measurement devices. TIC has provided flow measurement solutions for: Landfill Gas and Methane from Landfill and Wastewater sites; Natural Gas to boilers, furnaces, and in pipelines; Clean gases used in manufacturing processes; Water for cooling and pharmaceutical applications; and numerous other liquids and gasses used in environmental and industrial processes. TIC offers a full line of thermal mass flow meters and flow switches available in either an unobstructed path in-line model, or as an insertion probe model. For more information about Thermal Instrument Company’s flow measurement solutions, please visit our website or contact one of our sales representatives.

https://www.thermalinstrument.com/

The “Industry Authority” on Thermal Mass Flow Measurement

Heading to the Global Waste Management Symposium in Palm Springs? 🌴

Accurate gas measurement shouldn’t be a guessing game. Whether you’re managing Landfill gas, Bio-Gas, or Digesters, reliability is non-negotiable.
Stop by the Thermal Instrument Company table (Feb 22-25) to meet Ray Young and Kevin Johnson. We’ll be showcasing our working thermal mass flow meters—the same technology we’ve perfected over the last 65 years.

Why stop by?
Local Quality: 100% Made in the USA (Trevose, PA)
Proven Tech: Thousands of successful installations worldwide.
Specialized Focus: Thermal mass flow is the only thing we do.

If you’re looking to measure RNG, hydrocarbons, or CO2, let’s talk shop in the main hall.
See you there.

About Thermal Instrument Company

Thermal Instrument Company (TIC), established in 1959, headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania, provides leading edge instrumentation solutions for measuring the mass flow rate of liquids and gases.  TIC has been providing flow measurement solutions for more than 60 years to a variety of industries across the globe, and has an installed base in excess of 20,000 thermal mass flow measurement devices. TIC has provided flow measurement solutions for: Landfill Gas and Methane from Landfill and Wastewater sites; Natural Gas to boilers, furnaces, and in pipelines; Clean gases used in manufacturing processes; Water for cooling and pharmaceutical applications; and numerous other liquids and gasses used in environmental and industrial processes. TIC offers a full line of thermal mass flow meters and flow switches available in either an unobstructed path in-line model, or as an insertion probe model. For more information about Thermal Instrument Company’s flow measurement solutions, please visit our website or contact one of our sales representatives.

https://www.thermalinstrument.com/

In a world increasingly dominated by Zoom calls and virtual handshakes, there is no substitute for being “boots on the ground.” During the week of January 12th, our team—Ray Young and Mike Hesser—headed to Texas to visit some of our most valued partners in the Bio-Gas, Oil & Gas, and Petrochemical sectors.

Texas is the heart of the American energy corridor, with Oil & Gas companies leading the way and generating the materials needed for energy, chemical, and petro-chemical operations and processes. Seeing our equipment operating in these massive complexes was a powerful reminder of how critical precise flow measurement is to the products we use every day.

Solving Measurement Challenges in the Field

During our visits, we saw firsthand how our thermal mass flow meters are being put to work to keep these facilities safe, compliant, and efficient:

• In Oil & Gas Sector: Our units are being utilized for critical flare and vent gas measurement in upstream and midstream applications. These are harsh environments where accuracy is non-negotiable for environmental reporting and safety.
• Small-Scale Precision: One of the most exciting parts of the trip was identifying new opportunities to solve niche measurement challenges. We discussed applications for our unique designs that handle line sizes as small as ¼” —offering precision in tight spaces where traditional meters often struggle.
• Petrochemical Production: We saw our equipment helping to monitor the gases used in the creation of PVC and other plastics. By providing direct mass flow readings without the need for complex pressure/temperature compensation, our meters simplify a very complicated process. Our long time customer, Formosa Plastics, creates the “building blocks” of modern life. They take raw hydrocarbons and, through high-heat cracking and chemical synthesis, transform them into the resins and fibers we rely on. Without these processes, life would be considerably more complicated and messy.

More Than Just Data Points

The highlight of the week wasn’t just seeing the processes behind all the things that are used in everyday life; it was the people. We are incredibly grateful for the time our clients and sales partners spent describing their operations and the unique challenges they face.

Meeting the people who produce the essential materials we all need was a grounding experience. It reinforces our mission: to provide the measurement tools that help these industries run cleaner, safer, and more efficiently.

Contact Thermal Instrument Company to see if we can work together to solve any measurement challenges you may be facing.

About Thermal Instrument Company

Thermal Instrument Company (TIC), established in 1959, headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania, provides leading edge instrumentation solutions for measuring the mass flow rate of liquids and gases.  TIC has been providing flow measurement solutions for more than 60 years to a variety of industries across the globe, and has an installed base in excess of 20,000 thermal mass flow measurement devices. TIC has provided flow measurement solutions for: Landfill Gas and Methane from Landfill and Wastewater sites; Natural Gas to boilers, furnaces, and in pipelines; Clean gases used in manufacturing processes; Water for cooling and pharmaceutical applications; and numerous other liquids and gasses used in environmental and industrial processes. TIC offers a full line of thermal mass flow meters and flow switches available in either an unobstructed path in-line model, or as an insertion probe model. For more information about Thermal Instrument Company’s flow measurement solutions, please visit our website or contact one of our sales representatives.

https://www.thermalinstrument.com/

Change is good and is inevitable, and it has forced us to get better, in all aspects, both professionally and personally. We had our fair share of change at Thermal Instrument in the past year, and we wanted to take some time at the end of the year to thank our employees, customers, our manufacturing partners, and everyone else that has helped keep us going into our 66^th year in business.

Thank you for your continued support and looking forward to working with you again in 2026!

As we close out the year, we want to share some significant personnel changes within the Thermal Instrument family.

👥 Personnel Updates: Welcomes, Farewells, and New Leadership

In Loving Memory: Remembering Our President

It is with heavy hearts that we remember our long-time President, Joe Curran, who passed away quickly in November 2024. Joe took over the family business in 1976, and ran the business up to his last days. Joe lived his life the way he wanted right to the end. His company, employees, and family meant the world to him. He is deeply missed, and his legacy carries on; you will often hear around the shop, “How would Joe do this?”

New Leadership

• Ray Young: President
  • New Role: Ray Young has taken over as President of Thermal Instrument.
  • Details: Thermal Instrument has been in his family for multiple generations, and he will now be guiding the company into the future.

Retirements and Succession

We celebrate the careers of two long-time employees who have shared a world of knowledge with their successors.

• Mark H. (Applications Engineer)
  • Retired: May 2025
  • Tenure: 38 years with Thermal Instrument.
  • Details: Mark managed our machining and sensor installations and spent months passing on “trade secrets” to his successor, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Vicki T. (Inside Sales)
  • Retirement: End of December 2025.
  • Tenure: 38 years with Thermal Instrument, starting in Shipping in 1987 and working her way through the departments to Sales.
  • Details: Vicki is retiring to spend more time with her family, garden, and pursue home projects.

Welcoming New Team Members

We are thrilled to welcome new talent to our team, benefiting from the invaluable mentorship of our long-time employees.

• Mike H. (New Applications & Production Engineer)
  • Joined: February 2025
  • Role: Inheriting the Applications Engineer role.
  • Background: Mike is a hands-on Mechanical Engineer, Experienced Welder, Fabricator, and Marine Veteran, helping us get organized and set up for future growth.
• Chrissy C. (Inside Sales)
  • Joined: November 2025, working side-by-side with Vicki T.
  • Role: Taking over the Inside Sales responsibilities.
  • Background: Chrissy comes from a sales background in electronic components and manufacturing and has been quick to catch on to the Thermal Instrument product line and customers.
• Jorge R. (Production Team)
  • Joined: April 2025
  • Role: Production floor, assisting with meter assembly and shipping responsibilities.
  • Background: Jorge brings assembly and welding experience, having worked in the instrumentation field previously.

As 2025 wraps up, we hope you take some time around the holiday season to be with friends and family and create some good memories. Looking forward to working with you in 2026.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from Thermal Instrument Company!

Come see us at Swana 2025: https://swana2025.expofp.com/?thermal-instrument-company

Thermal Instrument Company has been providing flow measurement instrumentation for more than 60 years. Our units are measuring Landfill Gas, Digester, Bio-Gas, and Renewable Natural Gas around the world. Our unique designs and customized calibrations to your specific application make our units some of the easiest to install and operate in the field. All manufacturing is done in the USA with final assembly and calibration performed by our team at our Trevose, PA factory. Thermal Instrument Company is the “Right Size” company to help you with all your gas and liquid measurements  

In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed rules that require producers of greenhouse gases(GHG) to monitor and measure those gases being generated by their processes. Instruments being used to monitor and record, need to be re-certified through a NIST certified calibration process that ensures that the measurements are accurate. Thermal Instrument Company recommends a factory re-calibration of these instruments every 18 months, or sooner, if directed by local laws.

Thermal Instrument Company (TIC) has been supplying thermal mass flow meters to help its clients maintain and meet this regulation. Thermal Instrument offers Loaner Meters, Factory Re-Calibrations, and On-Site Re-calibrations to help manage this process.

The process is explained below.

Loaner Meter Program: Steps to acquire a Loaner Flow Meter:

1. The operator visits our website and fills out an electronic form and clicks “Submit” at bottom of form to request a loaner meter. https://thermalinstrument.com/recalibration-loaner-form/

2. Our technician receives the request electronically, then calibrates a meter from our fleet of loaner meters, to the specifications on the received form.

3. The Loaner meter is then shipped to the customer address for immediate use in the customers monitoring system. Availability can vary depending on overall demand.

4. The Field location then removes their previously purchased TIC flow meter from their monitoring system, replaces it with the just arrived Loaner flow meter.

5. Send the original unit back to TIC for a full NIST certified factory re-calibration. Typical turn around from the time TIC receives the original meter and performs re-calibration can be up to two weeks.

6. Once calibration is completed, the original meter is returned to the field, with a new Calibration Certificate valid for 18 months.

7. Important - The Loaner Flow Meter is property of Thermal Instrument and must be returned to TIC, so the process can start over for the next client.

Important Notes:

• Thermal Instrument can only calibrate and issue loaner meters for Thermal Instrument Meters

• Plan accordingly, at certain times of year (holidays, year-end, etc.) the wait for a loaner meter or calibration services in general, may be longer due to demand.

• Loaner meters are issued on a first come, first served basis. There are approximately 60 loaner meters, in continuous circulation, between field locations and our facility at all times.

• The Loaner Meter arrives with a NIST Certified Calibration and Certificate for its temporary use at the site

The advantage to the Loaner Program is that there is practically no down time to the field and their compliance to the EPA GHG regulation stays in place throughout this process. Please contact Sales@thermalinstrument.com or dial 215-355-8400 Option 1 for Sales, for current pricing on this service.

On-Site Field Calibration Service

Another option that TIC offers for re-calibration services is the use of our Field Technician to travel on-site to perform calibrations. This option is best used when a site has multiple units at one location, or several sites that are located in close proximity to each other. To find out more about this service contact Kevin Johnson at Kevin@thermalinstrument.com or 215-355-8400 x 5212. Pricing for this service varies depending upon travel time and cost.

About Thermal Instrument Company

Thermal Instrument Company (TIC), established in 1959, headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania, provides leading edge instrumentation solutions for measuring the mass flow rate of liquids and gases.  TIC has been providing flow measurement solutions for more than 60 years to a variety of industries across the globe, and has an installed base in excess of 20,000 thermal mass flow measurement devices. TIC has provided flow measurement solutions for: Landfill Gas and Methane from Landfill and Wastewater sites; Natural Gas to boilers, furnaces, and in pipelines; Clean gases used in manufacturing processes; Water for cooling and pharmaceutical applications; and numerous other liquids and gasses used in environmental and industrial processes. TIC offers a full line of thermal mass flow meters and flow switches available in either an unobstructed path in-line model, or as an insertion probe model. For more information about Thermal Instrument Company’s flow measurement solutions, please visit our website or contact one of our sales representatives.

https://www.thermalinstrument.com/