Electric heating system is used to prevent condensation of atmospheric and vacuum raw materials in hydrogenation units

Electric heating systems are widely used for thermal insulation and can be used in both general and special environments. The freezing point of atmospheric and vacuum feedstocks used in hydrogenation units is 30°C. Do all the oil pipelines within the unit (except for a few light oil lines) require heating? And how is condensation prevention implemented?

Generally, pipelines exiting the unit require heating because they are long, experience large temperature swings between day and night, wind speed, and heat loss during transmission, all of which can lead to condensation. When using electric heating systems, the heating cable should be selected based on the properties of the feedstock.

Pipeline heating is primarily recommended for applications involving liquids with relatively high freezing points; liquid and vapor phases with crystallization; and equipment and pipelines requiring regular heating, both conventional and non-conventional. Heating should be applied to all locations where heating is required. Because the freezing point of atmospheric and vacuum heating materials is 30°C, heating cannot be lower than this temperature. When selecting heating cables, consider medium-temperature self-limiting heating cables. These maintain the required temperature of the medium, while the specific temperature can be controlled by the thermostat and the thickness of the outer insulation layer.

Another advantage of using self-limiting heating cables is that they can be cross-wound around pipelines, allowing them to be applied to valves, elbows, pumps, and instruments.