Pipe Tracing (a.k.a heat tracing) is commonly used to ensure that process, fluid, or material temperatures within pipes and piping systems are maintained above ambient temperatures during static flow conditions along with providing supplemental freeze protection in certain applications.
Why is steam tracing needed?
Reasons for Steam Tracing in Instrumentation
Maintain the fluidity of viscous products during shutdown or in isolated piping . Avoid fluid-component separation caused by low temperatures. Prevent freezing of process media that contain water. Prevent condensation of gaseous process fluids.
Why is heat tracing needed?
Heat trace system is necessary for cold conditions where the liquid flowing within pipes are prone to freezing . ... By using a Chromalox’s heat trace system, we can keep the pipes warm even when the surrounding temperatures plummet. Modern-day heat traces are made from polymers that are self-regulating.
How does pipe heat tracing work?
Heat trace is an electrical system used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels . The electric heating is achieved by utilizing a resistant element that is run alongside the piping or vessel. Current heat trace technology utilizes a self-regulating polymer that controls the wattage of the element.
What is heat trace cable used for?
Tempco’s Heat Trace Cables are used to counteract the effects of heat dissipation from process pipe and equipment through its insulation (if any) . This heat loss allows a drop in temperature, bringing about unacceptable consequences such as frozen pipes, reduced fluid viscosity, etc.
How is steam tracing calculated?
To calculate the size of a steam tracer header you must calculate the total cross section of all the tracers and then calculate the header size to allow for the same flow area. The rate of condensate of the tracer depends upon the length of tracer that is in contact with the process line.
How do you create steam tracing?
- Step 1: Establish Design Parameters. ...
- Step 2: Select the Proper Thermon Steam Tracing.
- Step 3: Identify Base Maintain Temperature. ...
- Step 4: Apply Any Adjustment Factors. ...
- Step 5: Determine Steam Tracing Circuit Lengths. ...
- Step 6: Choose Options/Accessories. ...
- Step 1:Establish Design Parameters.
How do you control heat trace?
Controlling a heat tracing circuit can be as simple as a mechanical thermostat . Frequently, more sophisticated control and monitoring requirements are necessary. Whether it’s a mechanical thermostat or a microprocessor-based control and monitoring system, Thermon can handle the need.
Can you heat trace PVC pipe?
PVC & PEX Pipe – Heat Trace Cable
PVC pipe is a dense thermal insulation. ... Since the thermal resistance of plastic is significant (125 times that of steel), the heat tracing density for plastic pipes must be considered carefully. PVC pipe is usually rated as being able to withstand temperatures between 140 to 160°F.
Can I put heat tracing on a plastic pipe?
Heat cable can be used on plastic pipes but the plastic’s durability and thermal properties must be considered. ... It is always a good idea to use a heat trace system with an automatic thermostat and control, but especially so when using heat trace on plastic pipe.
Can self-regulating heat trace touch itself?
Constant wattage heat trace and MI cable cannot cross or touch itself . ... Self-regulating heat trace cables, however, would adjust to this temperature increase, making them safe to cross or overlap. As with any electrical system, though, there are always potential dangers with using heat trace or heat cables.
What is the difference between self-regulating and constant wattage heat trace?
Pipe trace constant wattage has a higher temperature output and tolerance. It consumes more power so it requires a controller or thermostat and some types can be cut-to-length. Self-regulating cables have a lower temperature output and tolerance . They consume less power, but require larger breakers.
Does heat tape stay on all the time?
A Safety Alert on Heat Tapes. Heat tapes look like electrical extension cords. But unlike all other wiring that can become hazardous if it gets hot, these tapes are specifically designed to produce heat. ... Those tapes do not draw electricity all the time , even though they remain plugged in.
Can I cut heat trace cable?
As far as length goes, heat trace cable can be cut to length and you can also add terminations to it, and heat tape comes in fixed lengths, somewhere between 2 and 100 feet, based on its style and you should know that it cannot be cut or trimmed if you don’t have the right length; the heating chord has the main ...
Does heat trace require insulation?
An effective heat tracing setup requires high-quality components, including insulation , which largely influences how efficiently the system maintains and manages heat.
