Application Book: Heating Solutions for All Industries | Page 37
PROCESS CONTROL
LIQUID CAUSTIC SODA TEMPERATURE MAINTENANCE
Prevent solidification and increase efficiency of liquid caustic soda in tanks and pipes
Application
Liquid caustic soda, also called sodium hydroxide or lye, is a highly
corrosive material used as a catalyst or cleaner in many industries such as
petroleum refining, textiles, pulp and paper, and chemical processing. A
50% concentration by weight is the most commonly used and to prevent
solidification, this material must be maintained at a temperature above
70°F (21°C). Failure to properly maintain temperature leads to decreased
efficiency, clogging, and production downtime.
Solution
Caustic soda is often stored in tanks and vessels. To maintain
temperatures above 70°F (21°C), BriskHeat SRM-ADJ silicone rubber
heating blankets with mid-temperature controls are used. Their plug-
and-play designs feature built-in controllers with a maximum adjustable
temperature up to 160°F (71°C), designed specifically for maintaining
mid-level temperatures such as those needed for caustic soda.
Additionally, they have peel-and-stick adhesive for easy installation,
industrial strength silicone construction for maximum durability, 2.5
W/in² (0.39 W/cm²) power density for rapid thermal response and are
grounded for safety. These heating blankets come in a variety of sizes to
properly fit around tanks and vessels even if they contain obstructions.
To maximize thermal efficiency, custom cloth removable and reusable
insulators are used. BriskHeat can manufacture almost any insulator
size and configuration, and the durable construction and moisture-
resistant PTFE (Teflon) cloth allows them to last for years.
For caustic soda pipelines, BriskHeat KE-series constant-wattage
heating cable installed along the pipe will keep the solution at the
desired temperature. The KE series has a FEP extruded outer jacket that
protects the cable from the corrosive nature of sodium hydroxide. To
insulate, BriskHeat’s Insul-Lock pipe installation is essential. It featured
double-seal technology for maximum thermal efficiency, easy-to-handle
6 ft (1.8 m) lengths, internal (pipe) diameters between 0.5 and 4 in
(1.3 and 10 cm), and a temperature tolerance of 220°F (104°C).
Additionally, external aluminum tape is an available accessory to guard
against corrosion. To control the cable temperature, BriskHeat offers a
wide range of temperature control options. A good all-purpose choice
is the TC4X digital temperature controller with NEMA 4X enclosure. The
TC4X is inexpensive, has a digital display, and is suitable for wet and
corrosive environments.
Additional Uses
BriskHeat’s SRM-ADJ silicone heating blankets can be used on most
tanks or vessel applications requiring heat up to 160°F (71°C).
Similarly, constant wattage heating cable can be used on most long-
run pipe heating applications that require temperatures up to several
hundred degrees.
Bus Wires
Heating
Element
Module Point
PFA Extruded
Inner Jacket
Heat Fused
Polyimide Film
Metallic
Industries Continuous Marker Tape
Overbraid
PFA Extruded Outer
Jacket
TC4X
Industries
Chemical Processing
General Manufacturing
Petrochemical
Oil & Gas
Pulp & Paper
Textiles
Types of Users
Facilities Maintenance Personnel
Process Engineer
Production Manager
Toll Free: 800-848-7673 | Phone: 614-294-3376 | BriskHeat.com | Email: [email protected] | Fax: 614-294-3807
© BriskHeat Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 20-01
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