Comparative analysis of cost of electric heat tracing and steam heat tracing

　　With the continuous development of industrial technology, pipeline insulation methods are also constantly innovating. As two common ways of pipeline insulation, electric heat tracing and steam heat tracing have different characteristics and advantages. This paper will analyze the cost comparison between electric heat tracing and steam heat tracing in detail to help readers better understand the advantages and disadvantages of these two heat preservation methods and choose the suitable pipe heat preservation method.

　　First, the initial investment cost comparison

　　1. The initial investment cost of electric heating.

　　The initial investment cost of electric heat tracing mainly includes the equipment cost and installation cost of electric heat tracing belt, controller and power distribution cabinet. Because the electric heat tracing equipment is relatively simple, the installation process is relatively simple, and the required labor and material costs are relatively small.

　　2. Initial investment cost of steam tracing

　　The initial investment cost of steam tracing mainly includes the equipment cost and installation cost of steam generator, pipeline, valve and steam trap. Because the steam tracing equipment is relatively complicated, the installation process is complicated, involving pipeline laying, heat preservation, etc., and the labor and material costs are high.

　　Second, the operating cost comparison

　　1. Operating cost of electric heat tracing

　　The operating cost of electric heat tracing mainly includes energy consumption cost and maintenance cost. Because the energy consumption of electric heat tracing is relatively low, especially when intelligent control is adopted, it can effectively save energy, and its energy consumption cost is relatively low. In addition, the maintenance cost of electric heat tracing system is relatively low, and only some parts need to be inspected and replaced regularly.

　　2. Operating cost of steam tracing

　　The operation cost of steam tracing mainly includes energy consumption cost and maintenance cost. Because the production and transportation of steam need to consume a lot of energy, its energy consumption cost is high. In addition, the maintenance cost of steam tracing system is high, the pipeline of steam system is easy to leak, and parts such as steam traps need to be maintained and replaced frequently.

　　III. Comparison of Long-term Operating Costs

　　1. Long-term running cost of electric heat tracing

　　The long-term running cost of electric heat tracing is relatively low. This is because the energy consumption of electric heat tracing is relatively low, especially when intelligent control is adopted, it can effectively save energy. In addition, the maintenance cost of electric heat tracing system is relatively low, and only some parts need to be inspected and replaced regularly.

　　2. Long-term running cost of steam tracing

　　The long-term running cost of steam tracing is relatively high. This is because the production and transportation of steam need to consume a lot of energy, and its energy consumption cost is high. In addition, the maintenance cost of steam tracing system is high, the pipeline of steam system is easy to leak, and parts such as steam traps need to be maintained and replaced frequently.

　　Fourth, other cost comparison

　　1. Environmental protection costs

　　Electric heat tracing has good environmental protection performance, will not produce waste gas and wastewater, and will not cause environmental pollution. Therefore, the environmental protection cost of electric heat tracing is relatively low. However, the environmental protection performance of steam tracing is poor, which will produce a lot of waste gas and wastewater, leading to environmental pollution, and its environmental protection cost is relatively high.

　　2. Safety cost

　　The safety performance of electric heat tracing is good, and there will be no safety accidents such as explosion. Therefore, the safety cost of electric heat tracing is relatively low. However, the safety performance of steam tracing is poor, and safety accidents such as explosion may occur, and its safety cost is relatively high.

　　To sum up, electric heat tracing has obvious advantages in initial investment cost, operation cost, long-term operation cost, environmental protection cost and safety cost. Although the initial investment cost of electric heat tracing is relatively high, its running cost and long-term running cost are relatively low, especially when intelligent control is adopted, it can effectively save energy. In addition, the electric heat tracing has good environmental protection performance and safety performance, and will not pollute the environment or cause safety accidents. Therefore, electric heat tracing, as a new type of pipeline insulation, has broad development prospects.