Pipe Tracing

For freeze protection and process heating applications up to 400F.

Thermal Design Guide

PURPOSE

Pipe Tracing (a.k.a heat tracing) is commonly used to ensure that process, fluid, or material temperatures within pipes and piping systems are maintained above ambient temperatures during static flow conditions. Under certain conditions, pipe tracing systems may be designed to increase (heat up) process, fluid, or material temperatures within pipes and piping systems. This guide provides design information for conventional temperature maintenance applications only. For design information relating to heat raise applications, please contact HTD .

INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND PUBLICATIONS

Pipe and Heat Tracing design considerations, heat loss calculations, installation and maintenance requirements are extensively covered by IEEE Standard 5151997. Additional information and requirements are also published in NFPA National Electrical Code under Article 427. The material used in this design guide is consistent with the information, requirements and recommendations of both of these industry standards and publications. This design guide is intended to provide supplementary information only and the reader should consult IEEE Std 515 1997 and NEC NFPA 701996 for full and accurate details on all topics.

PRODUCTS

The information contained within this Thermal Design Guide is intended for use with ThermaLinx, WinterSafe, WinterSafe Plus, AutoWatt Xtra, PermaWatt and VersaTrace heating cables as manufactured by HTD Heat Trace, Inc. Whitehouse, New Jersey
ELECTRIC HEAT TRACING PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS

PTTDGF6/03

PIPE HEAT LOSS FACTORS

The calculation to determine heat losses from a pipe are shown in Annex A of the IEEE Std 5151997. (The factors listed in this calculation that can significantly affect the rate of heat loss for each application are shown following). This is the minimum information required to determine heat losses for all pipe tracing applications. Desired Fluid Maintain Temperature (Tm) Minimum Ambient Temperature (Ta) Pipe size Thermal insulation thickness Thermal insulation type Location (Indoors or Outdoors) Desired safety factor

The selection of the best heater for an application depends upon factors discussed later in this guide. Heater selection is not directly related to the heat loss calculation. STEP 1 Determine the application T. This is the difference between the desired Fluid Maintain Temperature (Tm) and the Minimum Ambient Temperature (Ta). STEP 2 Refer to Table 1 "Base Heat Loss Table for Insulated Pipes" and determine the base heat loss for the application using the appropriate pipe size, thermal insulation thickness and application T. STEP 3 The base heat losses shown in Table 1 have been calculated using the K factor for fiberglass insulation. Use Table 2 "Insulation Adjustment Factors" and multiply the base heat losses by the Adjustment Factor for the insulation being used. STEP 4 Multiply the value determined in Step 3 by 0.9 for all indoor applications. STEP 5 A safety factor of 10% has been used throughout the above calulations. If a different value is desired, adjust the value calculated in Step 4 accordingly.

PIPE HEAT LOSS CALCULATION STEPS 1 THROUGH 5

Heat loss caclulations used in Table 1 are based upon an outdoor application using Fiberglass Insulation with a K Factor of 0.25 BTU/hrFtF/in and a 10% safety factor.

TABLE 2 THERMAL INSULATION ADJUSTMENT FACTORS

Insulation Type Polyurethane Polyisocyanurate Polystyrene Fiberglass Foamed Elastomer Mineral Wool Expanded Perlite Calcium Silicate Cellular Glass Insulation k Factor 0.165 0.180 0.220 0.250 0.290 0.300 0.375 0.375 0.400 Adjustment Factor 0.66 0.67 0.88 1.00 1.16 1.20 1.50 1.50 1.60

ALLOWANCE FOR VALVES STEP 6

STEP 6 Additional heat will be required to offset the higher levels of heat loss associated with valves. Calculate the heat loss for each valve within the piping system by multiplying the final base heat loss calculated in Step 5 by the appropriate Heat Loss Factor shown in Table 3. TABLE 3 ADJUSTMENT FACTORS VALVES Type of Valve Gate Ball Butterfly Globe Check Heat Loss Factor 4.3 2.6 2.3 3.9 2.0

ALLOWANCE FOR PIPE SUPPORTS STEP 7

STEP 7 Use the following formula to determine the heat loss f or each size of support within the piping system. Heat loss per support = 0.7L (T), where L equals the length of the support in feet and the T equals Tm Ta as per Step 1.

HEAT LOSS EXAMPLE

Desired Fluid Maintain Temperature (Tm) = 80F Minimum Expected Ambient Temperature = 20F Pipe Size = 6 inches diameter Pipe Length = 100 ft Heat Sinks = Four Gate Valves Pipe Supports = Ten, each 1 ft long Thermal Insulation Thickness = 2 inches Thermal Insulation Type = Polyurethane Location = Outdoors Desired Safety Factor = 20% Step 1 Application T (Tm Ta) Step 2 From Table 1, base heat loss Step 3 Adjust base heat loss using Table 2 Step 4 Outdoor application, no adjustment required Step 5 Add desired Safety Factor (10% already inc) Step 6 Total adder per Valve using Table 3 Step 7 Total adder per Pipe Support

80 20 = 100F 8.0 w/ft

8.0 x 0.67 = 5.36 w/ft

5.36 x 1.1 = 5.9 w/ft 5.9 x 4.3 = 23.37 w

0.7 x 1 x 100 = 70 w

Total heat losses from Piping System

Total pipe losses = 5.9 x 100 = 549.0 Total valve losses = 23.37 x 4 = 93.48 Total pipe support losses = 70 x 10 = 700.0
TOTAL HEAT LOSS (WATTS) = 1,342.48