Freeze Protection and Temperature Maintenance for Metallic & Non-Metallic Tanks and Vessels

Hotfoil ELP heating panel construction.

With winter around the corner, manufacturing plants need to consider the possibility of freezing or low process temperatures effecting outdoor storage tanks and transfer vessels. The most common approach is to install electric heating panels on the outer surface of these tanks and vessels to prevent the contents from freezing. Lower than normal ambient temperatures can also have negative effects on the flow of liquids for a given process. In these situations it is important to maintain liquids at a constant temperature. Electric heating panels are easy to install on tanks and vessels and provide the flexibility to heat a large area of the tank surface. They can also be used to target heat to specific areas on a tank.

Typical Hotfoil ELP
heating panel placement

Hotfoil ELP heating panels are suitable for installation on metallic tanks and vessels for freeze protection or process temperature maintenance up to 79°C/175°F. They incorporate flat foil resistive elements that are laminated by heat and pressure in a multi-layer fiberglass construction with epoxy resin. The resulting electric heater design is a semi-flexible panel that is waterproof and durable. They are used in a variety of heating applications spanning from freeze protection to process heating with exposure temperatures ranging from -40 F to +212 F.

ELP heating panels can be used on either vertical or horizontal tanks with diameters of 48" and above, with either metallic or non-metallic construction.  They can be used in dry, wet, or corrosive environments, are available in 120 and 240 volts, and are approved for hazardous and non-hazardous areas.

For more information, visit www.hotfoilehs.com or call 609.588.0900

FM Approved Silicone Rubber Heaters for Tank and Vessel Heating

Silicone rubber electric heating element for tank and vessel heating.

Silicone rubber electric heating elements are well proven, tried and tested flexible heaters for heating plastic or metallic tanks and vessels. Their low mass offers virtually no thermal inertia and within minutes can achieve elevated temperatures. They are generally easy to apply to the surface of tanks, chutes, or hoppers and can be custom designed in virtually any shape, all that is required is a sketch of the heated area and information about the electrical connections.

Silicone rubber electric heating elements are constructed by vulcanizing a nichrome heating element to the silicone rubber layer to produce a homogenous laminate. Two layers of 0.028” thick silicone rubber compound, sheath cured on one side, are calendared with high strength fiberglass mesh and vulcanized together under heat and pressure. This bonding sandwiches the resistance heating element between the two layers. An electric grounding mesh is located on the assembly and a further layer of silicone rubber is applied and vulcanized, making a homogenous assembly.

The heaters are used primarily for metallic and non-metallic tank and vessel heating. Their flexibility, both physically and design-wise, allow the heaters to be used for a wide variety of applications. Silicone rubber heaters are water-resistant and may be used for outdoor or “wet” applications, as long as the thermal insulation or exterior covering over the heaters is weatherproofed.

Silicone rubber heating systems must be correctly temperature controlled. The controls and all electrical components must be approved for the area as classified. All wiring must follow Federal, State and Local codes and be fully compliant with the NEC as it relates to the project. If in doubt, please contact an industrial heating applications expert for assistance.

For more information about silicone rubber tank and vessel heaters visit this link.