As the seasons change, there is preparation that needs to take place. When the summertime arrives in the Gulf Coast area, people begin to check the systems in their facilities that keep them cool. Coolants in the heavy machinery are checked. Refrigeration systems are scheduled for routine maintenance. HVAC systems, which enable us to withstand the hot summers, are inspected to avoid a mishap.
Preparations need to be made for the wintertime, as well. Although the winters in the Gulf Coast can be mild, that is no reason why your facility should be unprepared for cold weather. One of the main ways cold affects the petrochemical industry is through time loss or shutdowns.
A heat tracing system will help alleviate this problem. A heat tracing system is used to prevent heat loss from process fluids being transported in process fluid pipes when there is risk of damage to piping, or interference with operation such as fouling or blockage, caused by the congealing, increase in viscosity or separation of components in the fluid below certain temperatures, and also when there is risk of formation of corrosive substances or water due to condensation in corrosive services.
This prevention of heat loss is accomplished by employing an electrical heat trace system, or steam tracing, and insulating both the process fluid pipe and the tracer together. Using appropriate insulation materials and metal lagging is vital on any application in an attempt to reduce heat loss from the pipe and tracer to their surroundings. The demands placed on heat tracing systems vary based on the design parameters specific to each application.
Steam tracing
As mentioned above, there are two types of heat tracing systems that can be applied to your facility. The first and simplest form is steam tracing with the heat source being steam.
To harness this heat source, small diameter tubing is run alongside process pipe. A conductive compound is smeared between both so heat will transfer easily from the tubing to the main pipe.
Both are wrapped in insulation and metal jacketing to minimize heat loss as much as possible and to provide protection from the outside elements. When a steam tracing system is designed, an engineer must consider the materials being transported through the pipe, the width of the main pipe and the rate of anticipated heat loss once insulation is taken into account.
Steam tracing is a bit more labor intensive to install and requires no outside power except to tie into the facilities’ existing steam manifold.
Electrical heat tracing
An electrical heat trace (EHT) system is more advanced than steam systems. In an EHT system, the heating source comes from employing a self-heating cable that is affixed to the process pipe. While the system is more advanced, it is much easier to use and allows a variety of options that will suit any facility’s needs. At Straight Line Industrial, all of our EHT systems use Thermon Heat Tracing products.
There are two objectives you are trying to accomplish with an EHT system — maintain temperature systems and freeze protection systems.
A maintain temperature system is just what it sounds like. Heat trace cables are used to keep the process material flowing at a designated temperature so handling and transportation can be made with ease.
A freeze protection system is when the process lines are in an area where regular ambient temperatures allow for material to flow easily but will become clogged when a winter day causes a drop in the temperature of the material.
A self-regulating heating cable is used for both systems. In order to function properly, there must be a power source at the site where the EHT system can tie into.
The numbers of tracers depends on the size of the pipe and the product temperature in the process line. The surrounding temperature and the insulation efficiency also have influence.
Please ensure your facility is protected against the cold weather this winter.
For more information, visit www.sli-services.com or call (713) 943-3443.
