How does TraceFREE® Impedance Pipe Heating work?

Low Voltage

A Banner-Day Pipe Heating TraceFREE® Electric impedance system utilizes a low AC voltage source to cause electric current flow through the wall of piping to be heated. The secondary side of a dual winding isolation impedance system transformer is connected to a piping system, installed to be isolated from earth ground, using cable conductors connected to high strength cable lugs attached to the two extents of the impedance heated pipe.

Description

As depicted low voltage AC current flows from the transformer secondary connection through a flange point to a flange located at the tank through the pipe to the cable lug located at the use point. The current bypasses the inline pump, isolated from impedance system current by two dielectric Insulated Pipe Joints (IPJ’s) and a bypass jumper cable. From the cable lug at the Use Point, the impedance system current flows back through the return cable conductor to the TraceFREE® impedance system transformer. This transformer is grounded at the return cable conductor connection to provide a zero-voltage reference for the system.

Control

The system is controlled from the TraceFREE® control panel that manages the input power to the impedance transformer by sensing the pipe and or product temperature with an RTD temperature sensor. The RTD is installed in a well that is typically welded to the outer surface of the heated pipe allowing the pipeline and product temperature to be maintained at the desired set point temperature.

For more information, contact us.

TraceFREE® pipe heating systems and storage tank heating systems can accommodate a wide variety of applications including industrial, chemical, petro-chemical, food, fuel oils, and many additional applications.

For more information, contact us.

Typical Pipe Heating Applications:

Heating Applications		Heat Trace	Steam Trace
Temperature Sensitive Products	Yes	No	No
High Temperature Applications (> 400°F/ 204°C)	Yes	Limited	No
Raise Temperature of Flowing Product	Yes	No	Limited
Quick Heat Up	Yes	No	No
Long Pipe Runs	Yes	Limited	Limited

For more information, contact us.

Center Tap

The TraceFREE® center feed system is used for longer systems typically without branch lines, and is best for mid-range and high temperature applications. It does not require insulated pipe joints or flange gaskets.

• Typically Used For Point to Point Applications
• Best For Mid-range And Higher Temperatures (≥ 400°F/ 204°C)
• Does Not Require Use of Insulated Pipe Joints Or Dielectric Flange Gaskets
• Grounded At Each End

Center Feed

Click for larger view.

End Feed

The TraceFREE® end feed system is the most common and is used with piping systems that have several branches. Excellent for both low- and mid-range temperatures, an end feed system is easier to install than a center feed system.

• Most Common Used
• Excellent for Lower and Mid-Range Temperatures (< 400°F/204°C)
• Can be Used on Multiple Branch Applications Systems
• Simpler Installation

End Feed

Click for larger view.

For more information, contact us.

Impedance Pipe Heating system:

An Impedance Pipe Heating System is a system in which heat is generated in a pipe wall by electric current flowing through the pipe wall by direct connection to a low voltage AC voltage source from a dual-winding isolation transformer.

Banner-Day Pipe Heating TraceFREE® Electric Impedance Pipe Heating (IPH) system is designed to heat selected metal pipe or tubing to maintain or increase the temperature of a product or material flowing through a piping system. With TraceFREE® impedance pipe heating product in a pipe can be:

• Thawed from a solid phase
• Heated to a desired operating temperature
• Gradually increased in temperature as it moves thru the line
• Maintained at a constant product temperature as the product is transferred through the line or sits stagnant

TraceFREE® electric impedance pipe heating systems provide operational flexibility to companies by allowing intermittent or continuous process operation.

Meets Applicable Codes & Standards:
NEC Chapter 427 – User Guide to the NEC
NFPA 70E – National Electric code 2008
IEEE Standard 844-2000
CSA 293.3

For more information, contact us.