Process Temperature Maintenance

When is process temperature maintenance trace heating required?

Many products need to maintain a specified temperature in

order to remain in a liquid state for processing. This

temperature is usually far above the temperature of the

surrounding air.

When pipework is subjected to low ambient temperatures or

under no flow conditions, heat loss can cause the contents

viscosity to increase. This may lead to the material solidifying

or setting within the pipework, either slowing down the

process or causing problems to pumping equipment.

Industrial applications for trace heating include…

Food Processing Factories

Chemical Industries

Oil Refineries Power Stations

Electric trace heating tapes are vital in ensuring that process

temperatures of pipes and vessels are maintained to allow

for smooth and efficient running of process plant equipment.

To minimise the effects of heat loss, trace heating is used in

conjunction with thermal insulation to supply a heat source to

replace this heat loos and therefore maintain the pipe

temperature. Typically a pipe sensing trace heating

thermostat is used to sense the pipe temperature and

energise the heating system when required.

By utilising the correct type of temperature maintenance

heating cable, thermal insulation and temperature control,

process pipework will operate efficiently for many years.

Why install trace heating for process temperature maintenance?

ESH temperature maintenance heating cable…

Generally constant wattage heating tape systems lend

themselves better to process temperature maintenance heat

trace applications. However, low to medium temperature

applications that do not require such precise temperature

maintenance parameters can be maintained with self

regulating heating tape systems.

Engineers and installers using process trace heating will

always have their own preferences as to the type of cable to

use. This is why at ESH we offer a comprehensive range of

both constant wattage and self limiting heating tapes to allow

the end user to utilise the system that best suits their

application and personal preference.

If you have specific design requirement or need advice on you present or future trace heating applications, please contact ESH Trace Heating Ltd