The cold weather is upon us, and industrial facilities are not immune to its impact. One of the best ways to avoid cold-weather downtime is by installing electrical heat trace.

Heat tracing is a critical process for any industrial device or system that may require cold-weather protection. Heat trace uses automated technology to raise or maintain temperatures in exposed pipes and vessels. It’s a safe and cost-effective method for preventing equipment from freezing up, which can lead to downtime and expensive emergency repairs.

Heat trace consists coated resistive wires that heat up when electricity passes through them. Options are available for most area classifications and settings. When the ambient temperature drops below the predetermined value, electricity from the heat trace system will power through the line to raise its temperature and whatever it is touching (your pipes). This is one of the most reliable ways to control temperatures in your system and avoid downtime/damage during the winter months.

Read on to learn more about this vital preemptive technology and where it’s best applied.

Cold Weather and Oil Production

Winter weather poses numerous problems to refinery operations and pipelines if temperatures drop low enough. The freezing point of crude oil is variable but usually between -40- and -60-degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that fall to these low levels will adversely affect oil and gas production. Low-producing oil sites are more susceptible to freezing and winter-caused damage.

You can mitigate this by installing heat trace along your pipelines, which will help keep production moving and prevent production issues.

Heat Trace Critical Lines & Vessels

It’s important that you heat trace all critical lines in your operations. This includes flow lines, emulsion lines, water lines, and chemical lines. Without heat tracing, they will be at risk for freezing and hydrates. Even if your lines are insulated, they often won’t withstand the extreme cold.

Heat Trace Actuators and Control Devices

Your operation probably relies on actuators and control devices to power valves and other equipment. Actuators are powered by gas, air, hydraulic fluid, or electricity. Thus, they are susceptible to cold weather and should be heat traced prior to winter.

Heat Trace Water and Waste Lines

It’s easy to forget about your office shacks when you’re busy winterizing your plant. Don’t forget about the water and waste lines. Save yourself a mess. 

Now is the Time!

With the cold weather on the horizon, get your heat trace orders in now. Timing is even more important this year with all the supply chain issues the pandemic has created. The earlier you ask your contractors to order material, the safer your production will be.

Get on it. Get it ordered now – you’ll thanks us later 😊.

We Install Reliable Heat Trace Systems

Protect your industrial facility from winter-caused damage this season. Our electrical team has the advanced experience and know-how to construct and maintain your electrical control and power systems. We install reliable heat trace systems and are available for 24/7 emergency callout support.

Let’s talk! Avoid costly downtime and production loss by ensuring your equipment provides superior function in even the harshest conditions. We invite you to click here or to call us about your facility’s needs at 877-872-0222.