What is ControTrace?
ControTrace® bolt-on heating elements have been the preferred steam tracing solutions for heating pipe, tanks, and vessels since 1980. These thermal solutions are a cost-effective alternative to fully jacketed piping and, in comparison to steam tracing, offer greater heating capacities and reliability.
How do I install steam tracing?
Tracers should be installed on the bottom of the process pipe. Heat rises, and by installing the tracer on the bottom of the pipe, the plant will achieve greater efficiency. 5. The correct support will prevent sagging on the steam tracer line and ensure the tracer line is in contact with the process pipe.
What is steam tracing in piping?
Steam tracing is a form of heat tracing that circulates steam around process pipes to keep the process media within a specific temperature range. Tracer lines are the tubing that carries the steam alongside the process pipe. Both electrical heat tracing and steam tracing are commonly used at process plants.
Why is heat tracing needed?
Heat trace system is necessary for cold conditions where the liquid flowing within pipes are prone to freezing. As discussed earlier, freezing within the pipes can damage the entire piping system.
What is heat tracing system?
Electric heat tracing, heat tape or surface heating, is a system used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels using heat tracing cables. Trace heating takes the form of an electrical heating element run in physical contact along the length of a pipe.
What are the three types of steam traps?
Steam traps can be divided into three different types based on their operating principles:
- Mechanical Steam Traps.
- Thermodynamic Steam Traps.
- Thermostatic Steam Traps.
- Applications Suited to the Free Float® Type.
- Applications Suited to the Disc-Type.
- Applications Suited to the Thermostatic Type.
Can you put heat trace on PVC pipe?
PVC & PEX Pipe – Heat Trace Cable 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.
Why are steam traps installed?
A steam trap has two major functions: to remove condensate as quickly as it is formed, and to prevent steam discharge. There are certain installation faults which negatively impact the ability for traps to effectively perform these functions efficiently.
What industries use steam traps?
By application, it is classified into drip application, process application, and tracing application. By material, it is bifurcated into steel and iron. By end user, it is categorized into oil & gas, power industry, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, pulp & paper, general industry, and others.
Can I put heat tracing on a plastic pipe?
You can use heat cable on plastic pipes as long as you follow precautions, such as determining your pipe’s thermal capacities, selecting a self-regulating, low wattage heat cable and using an automatic heat trace control with safety functions.
What is controtrace heating?
ControTrace systems have to make sure all parts of a pipe wall are at the minimum wall temperature, and sometimes, this requir\\s the heating of pipe supports. Pipe supports act like cooling fins and suck heat away from the process and pipe wall.\\�
Where is controtrace used?
ControTrace is also in service on storage tanks and vessels up to 25 feet in diameter. CSI will design your ControTrace system to ensure adequate surface coverage.
What is a controtrace panel?
STEAM FUNDAMENTALS 19 Supply High, Return Low Steam ControTrace also comes in what is referred to as ControTrace panels. These panels are simply single element ControTrace eleme\\൮ts headered together.
What tools do I need to install controtrace?
24 Only basic tools are required for installation of ControTrace. The following tools are recommended: Tyvek Suit Rubber gloves Tape Measure Level 5/8”-(x2) 3/4” 7/8”-(x2) 1-1/16” 1 -1/8” 1 -1/4” Markers Banding Tool Hammer 3” Putty Knife Screwdriver Channel Lock Pliers Tin Snips HTC Banding Banding Clamps ¾” to 1½” Ton Come Along