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Process Temperature Maintenance

By selecting the proper industrial heat trace cable and controls, a process temperature maintenance system can maintain the temperature of the fluid in a pipe to the desired level, over a broad range of temperatures, depending on the need dictated by the particular process or application.

Process Temperature Maintenance – A Complete Heat Management System Approach

nVent Thermal Management offers process temperature maintenance as a complete heat management system which includes the selection of appropriate industrial heat trace technologies and advanced control system technologies, in addition to turnkey services.

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Element of Industrial Heat Trace Systems
  • Electric heat trace cable – industrial heat trace cables that maintain the temperature of non-flowing fluids by replacing the heat lost through the thermal insulation on pipes, vessels and associated equipment.
  • Advanced control systems – devices such as thermostats, controllers, and electric panels that monitor and/or control heat trace cables to help maintain the temperature of the fluid contained in a heat traced pipe.
  • Components and accessories – items for making electrical connections and properly completing the installation, such as end terminations, glass tape and warning labels.
Services

nVent Thermal Management can supply the individual components, provide engineering and design and even install and maintain the entire system.

When our advanced products are combined with our services, you get an integrated temperature maintenance solution that is strategically planned and executed for an optimum heat management system (HMS). By managing and executing all aspects of the heat trace system design and installation, we provide a single interface to your project team.

A typical insulated pipe can take a few hours to a few days for the stagnant liquid in the pipe to go below minimum maintain temperature. The time required depends on thermodynamic characteristics such as ambient temperature, pipe diameter, insulation type and thickness, heat transfer coefficients and type of liquid.

Depending on the application, you may need to maintain the temperature of a fluid in a pipe above a certain minimum temperature within a moderate band, or within a narrow band  to meet whatever process requirements your application dictates; for example:

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  • Transporting the liquid
  • Using the liquid in a reaction
  • Preventing crystallization or degradation of the liquid
  • Safely shutting down the process
  • Maintaining the properties of the liquid
Reliable Process Temperature Maintenance System

A heat traced pipe replaces the heat lost through the insulation to maintain the pipe and fluid at the required maintain temperature.  Thus, pipe heat tracing is critical for process heating for temperature maintenance of pipes that are expected to have stagnant fluids for prolonged times.

Maintaining liquids within the specified temperature range allows you to cost-effectively transport the fluids from one location to another, operate your processes at maximum efficiencies, and safely start/shut down your operations.

nVent Thermal Management offers a variety of integrated technologies to meet your specific process temperature maintenance need. We are the world leader in heat tracing solutions. We have sold over one billion feet of nVent RAYCHEM self-regulating cable and are known for technical leadership and expertise in polymer science and radiation cross-linking. Our nVent PYROTENAX mineral insulated heating cable has been an industry leader for over 75 years. And, we offer the most advanced line of heat-trace control and monitoring systems.

Premiere Heat Management System Services

A properly designed heat management system is complicated. Let our heat trace experts provide you with turnkey solutions and project management through all phases of your pipe heat tracing project to ensure that you stay on schedule and have an optimal heat tracing system that will provide you with many worry-free hours of operation.

  • nVent Thermal Management is a global organization with a complete line of heat tracing systems, superior technical support, proven project execution strategies, and high safety standards, making us an ideal partner for our customers worldwide who benefit from our expertise, products, and services to meet their heat management system needs.
Self-Regulating Technology

nVent RAYCHEM self-regulating electric heat trace cables automatically adjust their power output to compensate for temperature changes of the pipe. RAYCHEM self-regulating heat trace cables:

Self regulating

  • Can be used for complex piping, plastic pipes and for pipes with/without steam cleaning
  • Result in more uniform pipe temperatures and are inherently safe with their unconditional T-ratings
  • Can be cut to length on site
  • Can be overlapped at valves, flanges, and instruments for ease of installation
  • Include state-of-the-art RAYCHEM connection kits that are easy to install, do not need a hot work permit, and do not use hazardous materials such as RTV silicones

Power-Limiting Technology

RAYCHEM power-limiting electric heat trace cables are ideal for process temperature maintenance applications requiring high power output and/or high temperature exposure. RAYCHEM power-limiting heat trace cables:

Power-Limiting

  • Can withstand exposure temperatures to 500°F (260 °C) with power off
  • Can be used at voltages to 480 V
  • Vary their power output depending on the pipe temperature
  • Can be cut-to-length
  • Can be overlapped once for ease of installation
  • Include state-of-the-art RAYCHEM connection kits that are easy to install, do not need hot work permit and do not need hazardous materials such as RTV silicones

Mineral Insulated (MI) Technology

RAYCHEM mineral insulated electric heat trace cables are ideal for high power output, high exposure temperatures, or extreme resistance to environmental corrosives. RAYCHEM mineral insulated heat trace cables:

MI-Cable

  • Provide up to 61 watts per foot (200 watts per meter) of power output
  • Are pre-terminated, allowing for simplified installation
  • Are approved for use in nonhazardous and hazardous locations
  • Can be used at voltages to 600 V
  • Are especially suited for harsh environments
  • Provide a maximum application temperature of 1022°F (550°C) and maximum exposure temperature of 1200°F (650°C)
  • Can be customized for higher temperatures by special order

Advanced Control Systems

nVent Thermal Management offers a number of RAYCHEM advanced control systems designed specifically for process temperature maintenance applications. The RAYCHEM control and monitoring products:

  • Range from a mechanical thermostat with an HTPI panel to our state-of the-art NGC product line that can sense up to eight process temperatures for each individual control circuit.
  • Include sophisticated control methods, monitoring of circuit integrity, performance and ground-fault current, and ground-fault protection
  • Have the ability to be monitored from a remote location and most interface with the RAYCHEM Supervisor software.

Control and monitoring solutions for Process Temperature Maintenance applications include:

  • Local - Dedicated to an individual circuit located in close proximity to the heat trace power connection, these devices monitor and or control based upon the pipe temperature measured on that circuit.
  • Distributed – Multi-circuit panels strategically located in a plant to gather a number of EHT circuits. The location of these panels reduces the total installed cost by reducing the branch power cable lengths.
  • Centralized – Multi-circuit panels located in a packaged building that is dedicated to heat trace control. The cost savings of this building becomes apparent when there is a very high concentration of heat tracing circuits and a small footprint of the plant.
Expertise in Heat Tracing Systems for Crude Oil Transfer Ensures Flow at CA Refinery
Key Challenges
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The Tesoro Refinery in Martinez, CA needed to heat trace its Amorco Wharf pump station and transfer lines to ensure crude oil flow from its off-load wharf to a series of storage tanks. Detailed engineering drawings for the heat tracing did not exist and the project proved to be complicated due to the intricate valve piping at the pump station. The client had a tight deadline and so they contacted nVent Thermal Management.

Solution

Due of the variety of pipe sizes, high number of large and small valve assemblies and the tight temperature maintenance requirements, the heat trace design required creative solutions and flexibility to best meet the customer’s needs. nVent Thermal Management engineers visited the refinery and completed a field design by taking pipe measurements and designing the heat tracing system on site. They worked with the local refinery personnel to define the necessary power distribution systems, power-point locations, necessary control and monitoring solutions and heat trace cable recommendations.

Products

Our experience with crude oil transfer and marine applications allowed us to develop a timely and cost effective solution for the Tesoro Refinery. nVent RAYCHEM XTV self-regulating heat trace cable was specified for all of the piping in order to minimize the installation costs as well as to ensure the temperature maintenance requirements. RAYCHEM 920 Control & Monitoring panels were combined with transformers and a power distribution system in a self-contained skid to reduce on-site installation time and expense.

Benefits

The installation was completed in accordance with nVent TRACER safety standards resulting in a 100% safety record on the project. Along with the quality installation of the heat tracing system by experienced craftsmen, Tesoro received a Warm Pipe Warranty as a guarantee of the quality of the installation. Experience, creativity and flexibility were key in completing this project for Tesoro Refinery. Put these traits and capabilities to work for you on your next job.

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