Enhancing efficiency in temperature maintenance
Mineral insulated (MI) heat tracing
Designed to provide controlled heating, MI heat tracing systems play a crucial role in preventing freezing, maintaining viscosity, or facilitating specific processes in environments where temperature control is paramount.
Product summary
- Uniform heat distribution
- High temperature capability
- Adaptability to complex industrial designs
- Longevity
What is a mineral insulated heat tracing assembly?
A MI heat tracing assembly is a system that uses heat tracing cables to monitor and maintain specific temperatures of pipes and vessels. These assemblies typically contain a single conductor heating cable with termination on both ends. Dual conductor assemblies are generally suitable for more complex applications where termination on one end is preferred. These single and dual conductor resistive heat tracing elements heat up to the required temperature when electricity flows through them, thus regulating and maintaining the temperature of pipelines, vessels and other critical systems.
Applications using MI heat tracing systems
- Oil and Gas: Used for preventing the freezing of fluids in pipelines and maintaining the viscosity of oil.
- Chemical Processing: Ensures the flow of viscous substances by maintaining the required temperature in pipes and vessels.
- Power Generation: Critical for preventing ice formation in power plant components and maintaining optimal operating conditions.
- Food and Beverage: Employed in the food industry to prevent the solidification of substances and maintain specific temperatures during processing.
- Pharmaceutics: Ensures the temperature control required for various stages of pharmaceutical production processes.
Key advantages of MI heating cables
There are also other forms of electric heat tracing systems available such as self-regulating or constant wattage cables. These are generally used in applications where lower temperatures need to be maintained. While it’s important to consider specific requirements and applications characteristics, mineral insulated heat tracing offers numerous advantages over other conventional heat tracing methods:
- High Temperature Resistance: Mineral insulated heat tracing assemblies can withstand extreme temperatures, making them suitable for applications ranging from frost protection to high-temperature process maintenance.
- Corrosion resistance: The metallic sheath of MI cables provides excellent resistance to corrosion, making them suitable for use in corrosive environments without compromising performance.
- Fire resistance: MI cables are inherently fire-resistant due to the non-combustible nature of the mineral insulation. This can be a critical feature in applications where fire safety is a priority.
- Durability: The robust construction of mineral insulated heat tracing assemblies ensure longevity, even in harsh environments, and they are resistant to mechanical damage and moisture.
- Uniform Heating: The homogeneous nature of MI cables facilitates even heat distribution along the entire length, preventing hotspots and ensuring consistent temperature maintenance.
- Flexibility: MI cables are highly flexible which enhances ease of installation on complex surfaces and intricate piping systems without compromising their heating performance.
Mineral insulated heat tracing assemblies are therefore indispensable for industries where precise temperature control is essential. Their versatility, durability, and efficiency make them a reliable choice for a wide range of applications.
Kamet’s MI heating cables
Kamet’s MI heating cables contain either a single or dual conductor and a metallic sheath, typically made of stainless steel or Alloy 825. The pre-assembled cables are filled with compacted magnesium oxide (MgO) insulation. This construction enhances the durability, flexibility, and thermal conductivity of our heating cables, making them ideal for any heat tracing application.
The use of a series resistor in our heat tracing elements, allows for an almost unlimited variety in voltage/wattage/cable length configurations within the cable’s physical operating limits.
The maximum length is variable and depends on the sort of heater. For example, a heat tracing element can go up to 200 meters. The outside diameter of a heater can vary from 1.0 mm up to 13 mm. Single and dual core series heating resistance cables are available.
Technical specifications and properties:
- Maximum allowable sheath temperature of 800°C
- Protection from corrosive environments and aggressive chemicals
- Ideal for high voltage application up to 750V
- Constant power output up to 300W/m
- High bending radius
- Laser welded hold-cold junction
- Fast response time
- No heat loss at low temperatures due to MgO insulation
- Single and dual conductor assemblies available
- Terminated with cold lead, pot seal, earth tail and cable gland
- Flexibility in terms of assembly length, resistance and other specifications
Brainstorm with an expert about your heating needs
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Why choose Kamet?
- Customer service and support: If you approach us with a trace heating project, Kamet Heating will help you during the entire process: from initial design to development and finally testing.
- Customized designs: Recognizing that often a standard product is not the best solution for every heating challenge, Kamet has become a specialist in developing custom-designed heating solutions. Our team of in-house experts works closely with our customers and suppliers to develop the best solution to any heating challenge.
- Quality products from first class suppliers: ARi Industries and Okazaki Manufacturing Company are our suppliers for heat tracing. Both companies have been specialists in this area for over 70 years and are long-standing partners of Kamet.
