Such process heaters make use of electricity to raise the gases, liquids and other material within systems temperature. Electric process heaters may be applied for direct and indirect heating depending on the purpose, making them a remarkably versatile heating option.
Electric Process Heaters Types
Such process heaters are available in two separate styles – circulation heaters and immersion heaters. Each type grants separate services for demanding applications.
Immersion Heaters
Immersion heater works through direct contact with heat. As the name implies, the hot tubular electric units are submerged in the heat process fluid directly. The advantage of this kind of immersion heater is that most of the energy produced is converted into heat with close to 100% efficiency. This means less work for energy and better overall results. In addition, these Immersion heaters are safe, effective and eco-friendly.
One of the most common types of Immersion heater is the indirect Immersion heater. It consists of two tubular electric units with the fluid passing through the second one. In most models, the first unit has its own microprocessor that controls the heating process. The fluid passes through the two heat exchangers, where it is heated until the desired high temperature is reached, typically by hundreds of degrees above room temperature. The liquid then returns to the first unit to be cooled and stored before being used the next time.
Circulation Heaters
The circulation heater is used in the plumbing and HVAC industry. The circulation heaters are used to distribute heat throughout an entire system, such as through air ducts, water pipes, and furnaces. They differ from gas and electric heaters because their circulation process is different.
The circulating fluid heats up the contents of the first container, which is usually water or oil. It will control the temperature inside the second container to maintain the proper fluid temperature. When the heating element is turned off, the fluid automatically returns to the first container, keeping the temperature constant.
This cooling cycle prevents damage to surfaces such as piping and prevents fluid loss. Systems use a continuous flow of gas or oil to warm up the air surrounding the device. Unlike most other types of circulation heaters, immersion-type heaters do not require any outside air circulation. The heat from these gases can travel directly to the area needing heat by conduction. These are commonly used in industrial applications since they are compact and highly effective. These types of circulations are safer than electric or gas-powered line heaters, as they do not discharge any hazardous gasses into the atmosphere.
Takeaway
Electric process heaters are not simply parts of electrical appliances; they are also heat exchangers. Their blueprint and choice should include an electrical engineer and a process engineer understanding process heat transfer.
