Even though steam tracing has been used in the process industry for more than years, there is still misinformation that attempts to make steam tracing appear to be inferior to other methods. Myth 1. Tube-type tracing is not a good alternative to steam jackets because it does not result in uniform temperatures along the process pipe wall.
The Facts. If the myth statement relates to bare convection tracers, it is true. However, if it relates to tubing installed with heat transfer compounds, it is untrue. Modern methods of thermal analysis such as finite element analysis FEA and computational fluid dynamics CFD commonly are used by engineers and designers of steam tracing systems to closely predict temperatures around the circumference of a traced pipe wall as well as at pipe shoes and supports, risers and other areas of concern.
Myth 2. Heat transfer compounds crack or break off when used on valves, pumps and other equipment. Literally thousands of valves, pumps and other types of plant equipment have been successfully steam traced with good quality heat transfer compounds. When properly installed on tube tracing, these can last as long as the equipment on which it is installed.
Properly selected heat transfer compounds can also resist mechanical shock well. If cracking or bond separation does occur, it generally is due to improper selection or poor quality heat transfer compounds, poor surface preparation or improper startup and curing procedures. Some companies offer design software for steam tracing piping, tanks or instrument tubing while others offer design support or proven heat transfer calculations.
But, beyond reliability, the real issue with all heat tracing systems is ensuring the lowest total cost of ownership with minimal operating and maintenance expense. Calculating condensate loads and knowing the maximum vertical rise for every steam trace design is critical to optimizing circuit lengths to reduce the number of steam traps and arrange the lowest installed cost possible for each application.
See the related web-exclusive content, " Steam Tracing Method Definitions. For more information, call or visit www. This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
Heat maintenance 2. Frost protection 3. Heat addition The above may be achieved from the use of one of the following tracing methods: 1. Critical 2. Jacketed product pipes 3. Non-critical 4. Winterization frost protection 5. Tracers are attached to pipe or vessel surfaces via wire, heat transfer compounds or specialty aluminum heat transfer strips. Steam from a plant boiler is piped up to the site where the steam trace is installed and a distribution manifold is used to take steam to each tracer.
Steam is then applied to the tracer circuit, effectively transferring heat from its warm surface to the pipe or vessel surface. Once the steam hits the end of its run it will begin to change from water back to steam. This product created is called condensate. Key components in this system are steam traps and the condensate return system. Together with the tubing system and boiler, they provide a very effective heat trace system. Steam locomotives were all the rage back in the day.
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