Heat Tracing

Heat tracing is used to prevent heat loss from process fluids being transported in process fluid pipes, when there is risk of damage to piping, or interference with operation such as fouling or blockage, caused by the congealing, increase in viscosity, or separation of components, in the fluid below certain temperatures, or when there is risk of formation of corrosive substances or water due to condensation in corrosive services. This prevention of heat loss is accomplished by employing electrical tracing, or Steam tracing, and insulating both the process fluid pipe and the tracer together, using appropriate insulation materials & metal lagging is vital on any application, in an attempt to reduce heat loss from the pipe and tracer to their surroundings.

Industrial Electric Heating Tracing

The demands placed on heat tracing systems vary based on the design parameters specific to each application. To meet these needs, Straight Line Insulation I, L.P uses Thermon manufacturer as its supplier who has the widest variety of electric heating cables and controls systems in the world. Controlling a heat tracing circuit can be as simple as a mechanical thermostat. Frequently, more sophisticated control and monitoring requirements are necessary. Whether its a mechanical thermostat or a microprocessor-based control and monitoring system, Straight Line Insulation can handle the need.

Self-Regulating Heating Cables

Self-regulating heating cables increase power as temperatures fall and decreases as temperatures rise. Our supplier Thermon manufactures a variety of selfregulating heating cables to meet the demands specific to each application.

Excellent for metallic or non-metallic piping and tanks, Straight Line Insulation I, L.P uses Thermons self-regulating heating cables in which allows an ease design and installation with applications ranging from freeze protection to temperature maintenance to foundation heating.

Power Connection Kit

Straight Line Insulation offers System supplied from Thermon designed specifically for rapid, trouble-free installation of Thermon Heating Cables. Available in two varieties, Thermon kits are approved for use in ordinary (nonclassified) areas, hazardous (classified) areas, and Zone 1 and 2 classified areas.Terminator DP - Kit includes; NEMA 4X nonmetallic junction box with integral gasket, three-point DIN mount terminal block with nickel-plated copper terminals (600 V, 50 A), pipe-mounted fitting, stainless steel pipe attachment band for piping 10 or less. (PETK/SCTK termination kit required, order separately). DP...........................BSX, RSX, HTSX, VSX, HPT, FP.

Mechanical Thermostats
Controlling a heat tracing circuit can be as simple as a mechanical thermostat. Frequently, more sophisticated control and monitoring requirements are necessary. Whether it's a mechanical thermostat or a microprocessor-based control and monitoring system, Straight Line Insulation Can handle with the help and Engineering of Thermon.

Heating Cables
BSX Self-Regulating Heating Cable Freeze Protection and Temp. Maintenance......to 150F Maximum Exposure Temperature......................185F Available Watt Densities..........3,5,8 &10 w/ft @ 50F Available Voltage................110-120 or 208-277 Vac Available with Fluoropolymer Overjacket (FOj) Supplied by Thermon Heat Tracing. HTSX Self-Regulating Heating Cable Freeze Protection and Temp. Maintenance.......to 250F Maximum Exposure Temperature......................482F Available Watt Densities...3,6,9,12,15,& 20 w/ft @ 50F Available Voltages..............110-120 or 208-277 Vac. VSX Self-Regulating Heating Cable Freeze Protection and Temp. Maintenance.....up to 300F Maximum Exposure Temperature......................482F Available Watt Densities....5, 10, 15, & 20 w/ft @ 50F Available Voltages...............110-120 or 208-277 Vac. HPT Power-Limiting Cables Freeze Protection and Temp. Maintenance.....up to 300F Maximum Exposure Temperature......................500F Available Watt Densities....5, 10, 15, & 20 w/ft @ 50F Available Voltages..........................120-240 Vac.

Installation Process
Steam Tracing is described by attaching a tubing (Copper or Stainless) containing saturated steam, also known as the "tracer", parallel to the process fluid pipe. The two pipes are then also insulated together with the specified insulation and jacketed. Steam tracing is more labor intensive to install than electrical heat tracing, but

there are very few risks associated with it. The temperature of the tracer also cannot exceed the maximum saturation temperature of the steam, as it operates at specific steam pressures. Steam Tracing may be done in one of two ways. Bare steam tracing is the most popular choice as it is fairly easily installed and maintained and it is ideally suited to lower temperature requirements. It is simply composed of a half inch or three quarters of an inch tubing (Copper or Stainless) attached to the process fluid pipe by straps and both pipes are then insulated together. The other available option is to make use of cemented steam tracing, during which heat conductive cement is placed around the steam tracer running parallel to the process fluid pipe, (shown in figure 1b), in an attempt to increase the contact area available for heat transfer, between the tracer and the process fluid pipe. Electric Tracing is similar to steam tracing, but instead there is a heating cable attached to the process fluid pipe. It is described by attaching a cable that is transmitting constant wattage to the process fluid pipe. This system is monitored by a Microprocessor-Based Control Units which permits on-off heat tracing control with numerous capabilities. It also provides the heating and temperature of cables.The heat cable and the pipe are also insulated together with the specified insulation and jacketed. Electrical heat tracing is less work labor than steam tracing, but there are very few risks associated with it. SLI has a big reference contact list, 90 % of our work are from referrals or recurring clientele. The numbers of tracers depends on the size of the pipe and the product temperature in the process line. The surrounding temperature and the insulation efficiency also have influence.

Tracer Identification Tags help facilitate maintenance of the steam circuit. As a minimum, the tag should identify the circuit number, pipe or equipment number, and manifold points and/or trap numb