Steam tracers increase efficiency

Temperature Measurement

December 2010 Temperature Measurement

Steam tracing is widely used in industrial processing for keeping the contents of pipes within a desired temperature range. Many processes require the storage and transfer of fluids through piping and equipment. Often, these fluids such as liquids, gases, vapours, suspensions or slurries have inherent temperature characteristics which allow them to freeze, become viscous, or undesirably condense at normal ambient temperatures. In order to prevent these problems which typically occur in non-processing periods, it is usually required that additional heat as well as insulation be added to the piping and equipment.

With pre-insulation for weather resistance and easy installation, Unitemp supplies quality steam tracing components including:

* ThermoTube (Pre-insulated Tubing) – ThermoTube is a single insulated process tube ideally suited to transport steam, hot or cold liquids, gases or refrigerants. Pre-insulated with non-hygroscopic glass fibre, the tube is complete with a heat reflective foil wrap and a weather-proof outer covering. ThermoTube can also be manufactured in a variety of optional process tube materials, wall thicknesses and outer coverings to meet a multitude of applications. The maximum and minimum process temperatures are 204 and 5°C, respectively. The recommended steam pressure is 1825 kPa.

* SnapTrace (Heat Transfer Compound) - SnapTrace is a flexible heat transfer compound (preformed in sections) designed for rapid installation on straight process piping runs with outer diameters of 40 mm and larger. Unitemp’s heat transfer compounds provide an efficient thermal connection between the tracer and the process pipe by eliminating the air voids that would normally exist. A single tracer utilising snap trace has the equivalent performance of three to five air convection (bare) tracers. SnapTrace includes a TFK galvanised steel channel, providing mechanical and weather protection. Snap trace has maximum and minimum exposure temperatures of 208 and -73°C, respectively. The minimum installation temperature is -12°C. No surface preparation is required, installation is quick, it is non-soluble in water, requires no curing procedures and increases heat transfer rates significantly over bare tracing.

For more information contact David James, Unitemp, +27 (0)21 762 8995, [email protected], www.unitemp.com

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Temperature Measurement

Steam tracers increase efficiency

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