Chromalox Introduces New Impedance Heating System
Chromalox impedance systems are safe, versatile, user-friendly heating systems for process heating applications requiring closely controlled process temperatures. Pre-engineered and constructed with carefully matched components, these systems provide easy installation and trouble-free operation in the end-user's application.
Impedance style heating, through the Joule effect, uses the pipe itself as the heating source. This allows uniform heating around the process with minimal impact on the installation site – no piping modifications are required!
Common applications include fluids that are thermally sensitive and/or highly viscous. An impedance system is also ideally suited for fluids that may solidify in the piping and need to be liquefied prior to pumping. Impedance can gradually and evenly warm a process (such as paraffin), from a coagulated state to a fully liquid state for pumping.
Impedance heating is also perfectly suited for pipe maintenance temperatures. Applications include processes that require continuous, steady heat input or freeze protection for a fire water pumping system. Another common application is for corrosive environments where direct immersion heating is not desired.
Impedance Heating Systems
- Uniform, indirect heating
- Distances of up to several miles in length
- 1 kW to several MW of power
- Low-voltage operation in the process (less than 50V)
- Temperatures to 1800°F
- Watt densities up to 190 W/In2
- Hazardous area certifications available
Advantages
Accurate Temperature Control to ± l° F
Available SCR power control can accurately monitor and control desired temperature.
Uniform Heating
Rather than having localized "hot spots" for transferring energy, impedance heating allows for even, smooth heating
along the entire circumference and length.
Simple Installation
As compared to electric heating elements, additional piping, valves, wiring, etc. are not needed to accommodate impedance heating. Impedance utilizes the pipe itself and minimizes the amount of equipment needed.
Efficient, Compact Area for Heat Transfer
Impedance heating allows higher watt densities to be used due to increased velocities and lower pressure drops.
Indirect Heating Contact
There are no concerns of corrosion on a heater sheath as the process is only heated by the pipe.
Can Handle Warm Up or Temperature Maintenance Conditions
Impedance heating can be used for simply maintaining pipe temperatures or adding additional power to heat up liquid flow. Impedance can also be used to liquify coagulated fluids when re-starting a system.
No Routine Maintenance Needed
Impedance has no moving parts that require servicing or that can cause costly shutdowns of operations.
No Double Jacketing
Steam or oil traced lines have additional hazards of
frozen lines, or leaky connections. Impedance totally
eliminates these concerns.
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