Skin Effect Heating System
Chromalox Confidential
Skin Effect Heating - Introduction
Skin Effect heating is simply another way to heat
a pipeline process, using electricity.
Proven technology that has been used for many
years.
Primarily for long runs of pipe – up to 15 miles in
length
Only needs one Power Supply Connection Point
Conduction efficiently transfers heat energy into
pipe
Zero residual voltage on pipe or tube – will not
interfere with cathodic protection
Can be applied to above ground, buried, or
submerged lines
Skin Effect Heating – What is it?
Impendence on a tube creates heat
energy that flows to Pipe and Process
Fluid
Conductive Heat is transfered to the
Pipe / Process Fluid
Electricity flows on inside of tube, so
zero potential
Skin Effect Heating – Components
6 Main Components
Control Panel
Transformer
Sensor(s)
Skin Effect Cable
Tubing
Junction Boxes
Skin Effect Heating - Advantages
Long Runs – up to 15 miles!
Single End Power Supply
Can be used for pipe maintenance or heat up (state change)
– 300 deg. F process temp.
Little maintenance – no disturbing insulation
Long life – Cable is protected
No major alteration to customer piping
Can be used above ground, buried, or submerged
Third Party – ATEX, FM
Skin Effect Heating - Comparison
Comparison Table for Pipeline Heating
Maximum Maintenance Maximum Exposure Length Equipment Installation Maintenance
Product Service Pipe Material Temperature Temperature (Power Off) Limit Cost Cost Cost
Heat Trace (SRL, HSRL) Temp. Maintenance Only Plastic / Metal 150 deg. F 185 deg. F 660 ft. Low Med High
Heat Trace (SRM, HSRM) Temp. Maintenance Only Metal Only 302 deg. F 420 deg. F 780 ft. Low Med High
Heat Trace (CWM) Temp. Maintenance Only Plastic / Metal 392 deg F * 392 deg. F 800 ft. Low Med High
Temperature Maintenance
Heating Cable (MI) & Fluid Heat up Metal Only 900 deg F 1,100 deg. F 1000 ft. Med High High
Temperature Maintenance
Impedance & Fluid Heat up Metal Only 1,800 deg. F only limited by piping used 2500 ft High Med Low
Temperature Maintenance
Skin Effect & Fluid Heat up Metal Only 302 deg. F 482 deg. F 15 Miles High Low Low
* Maximum Maintenance Temperature for CWM depends on Cable watt density - consult CWM catalog page for max temps for each watt density cable
Primary Benefits over other Technologies
One Circuit – up to 15 miles from Single Point
Low Maintenance – little chance of damaging cable, no need to remove insulation
Downsides – Customized for application
Leadtimes – not an off-the-shelf product
Initial Cost – Engineering Design and Support
Skin Effect Heating – Market & Applications
Petrochemical industries : Cables manufacturing :
Preheating of heavy fuel oils, Tracing of compound pipes,
Tracing of high viscosity fluids, Tracing of polymer pipes,
High temperature gas heating Vulcanisation furnaces
Chemical industries : Manufacturing of dry cells and batteries :
Forced convection evaporators, Tracing of compound pipes
Gaseous in line reactors,
High temperature gas heating, Paper and packing industry :
Melamine plants. Tracing of hot-melt pipes
Textile industries : Waste and recovery :
Tracing of molten polymer pipes Supercritical water heaters,
Very high pressure boilers
Food industry :
Heating of oil for fried foods, Pharmacy and fine chemicals :
Tracing of molten chocolate pipes Decontamination plants,
Tracing of cristalizing products,
Pilot plant HTM units,
Tracing of thermosensitiv products.
Aluminium production :
Tracing of compound pipes
Advantages of Electric Heat
Clean Operation & Lower Installation Costs – No pollution
stacks, fuel lines, or holding tanks.
Accurate Temperature Control – Point of use can allow
0% to 100% accurate turndown, without re-routing of
existing steam lines.
Minimal Maintenance – No combustion controls that need
adjusting; easily replaceable, if needed.
Lowered Safety Concerns – No open Flames.
Controlled Costs – Low fluctuations in electricity prices.
Continuous Improvements
and Commitment to
Product and Customer Base
