Cold Link Africa July/August 2018 | Page 35

INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
FEATURE

Regulate cold with electrical heat tracing this winter

By Dirk Venter at eltherm SA

Electrical heat tracing( EHT) can assist plant and process managers to alleviate stubborn viscositysensitive products and processes, especially during the winter months with its energy challenges.

In a time where energy conservation has become paramount, the imminent winter months bring its own set of

uncharacteristically cold days, other costly sources such as flange or gas heater do not have to be used to compensate for
• Resins, epoxies, and adhesives;
• Petrochemical industry;
• Bitumen;
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efficiency challenges. South African
unplanned heat loss.
• Food and beverage, such as glucose,
organisations face escalating energy
Self-regulating EHT comes into play
chocolates, fats, vegetable and palm
usage and expenditure— during colder
here as it provides a controlled wattage,
oils, and other syrups;
months— all in an effort to run operations
effectively maintaining a fixed target
• Automotive manufacturing processes
within prescribed temperature perimeters.
temperature without external control.
like glues and oils; and
Fortunately, technology innovation has
This in turn drives down time spent
• Brewing – maltose and dextrose. CLA
led to some effective solutions that enable
to maintain temperature as well as
manufacturers to keep products at an
continuously adjusting the temperature
optimal temperature, lowering viscosity
or worse, be caught unawares as it
and ensuring that it is easier to transport
becomes colder.
products around the plant during the colder months.
One such solution is EHT. EHT lowers the viscosity of many processes, as it acts as a compensating heat source to maintain
Self-regulating EHT therefore reduces power output as temperature increases and conversely, increases it systematically as the temperature lowers, which in turn leads to improved energy efficiency.
1. To prevent freeze damage, EHT can be installed on these pipes, preventing them from freezing.
2. Example of heat tracing regulating temperature.
or raise the heat in pipes, tanks, surfaces,
Winter not only affects industry— colder
and other vessels. It effectively replaces the heat loss in the process and can
days and the resultant higher viscosity can also impact domestic water supply as well
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therefore be used to prevent product
as reliable drainage of rain and waste
from gelling or freezing, whilst maintaining
water, leading to freeze damage and
the low viscosity of the process on plant
ultimately, frozen and burst pipes.
equipment.
To prevent freeze damage, EHT can
Ultimately, EHT helps ensure that pumps
be installed on pipes, preventing them
do not malfunction due to cavitation
from freezing. Again, a customised,
and pipes do not get blocked, mitigating
self-regulating heat tracing solution is
costly repairs, maintenance, and potential
developed, installed, and monitored to
downtime.
ensure pipes are warm enough throughout
Heat tracing can also provide significant cost reductions and energy conservation since it regulates temperature, ensuring that during
the winter months
EHT can maintain and lower the viscosity of liquids in many industries and applications, such as:
Photos by eltherm
COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2018 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za

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