Process Heaters
The versatility of the process heater reflects its ability to heat-process streams of gas, liquid, or solid materials. Medical, automotive and food processing are just a few of the many industries in which process heaters play an integral role. As industrial materials can be extremely sensitive to heat and some may be damaged or become volatile when overheated, thermostats are a common feature of these electric heaters. Infinite or variable control precision thermostats often offer temperature readings of both the material and the holding vessel. Convection heat transfer options allow lower temperatures for the tube and ductwork that comes into direct contact with highly sensitive materials such as MEA and DEA. Many other options, such as flameproof control systems, are also available to encompass the myriad of uses.
As aforementioned, process heaters are not a specific type, but rather a broad category. While all electric heaters use ducts, sheathed tubes, coils or oven-like elements to transfer heat to a substance, applications vary greatly.
Band,
coil,
cartridge,
strip, flexible,
immersion,
circulation, flanged, screw plug, over-the-side, infrared,
drum,
duct and
tubular heaters can all be used to heat or preheat process materials of one sort or another. It is very important to select the right mechanism for the job. Considerations include size, maximum operating temperature, AC voltage, watt density as well as the material composition of the vessel. Frequently composed of stainless steel, ceramics, aluminum, titanium, silicone rubber and mica, these heaters can offer corrosion resistance, weather proofing and wear resistance to ensure product longevity even when dealing with highly corrosive chemicals. The variable constructs of process heaters can even be custom made to meet the specific needs of an industry in order to reduce cost and improve productivity and efficiency. Inline, cabin and circular designs are also available to meet the spatial limitations of a given production line.
