Installation method of electric tracing belt

　　The correct installation of electric tracing belt is the key link to ensure the long-term stable operation of the system. From the preliminary preparation to the final debugging, every step needs the careful operation of professional and technical personnel. In the pipeline insulation project of chemical plant, a scientific and standardized installation process can not only improve the thermal efficiency, but also prolong the service life of the system and avoid potential safety hazards.

　　The preparation before installation can't be ignored. First of all, the surface of the pipeline or equipment should be thoroughly cleaned to remove rust, oil pollution and burrs, so as to ensure that the electric heat tracing belt can be closely attached. The experience of a refinery shows that the heat transfer efficiency can be improved by more than 15% by cleaning with sandpaper and then wiping with alcohol. At the same time, it is necessary to check the model, length and power parameters of the electric tracing belt according to the design drawings, and detect its on-off and insulation resistance with a multimeter. Usually, the insulation resistance value is not less than 20 megohms. It is also very important to prepare suitable installation tools, including special aluminum foil tape, heat-resistant cable ties, heat-shrinkable sleeves, etc. The heat-resistant grade of these materials must be higher than the highest surface temperature of the electric heat tracing belt.

　　The laying mode of electric tracing belt directly affects the heating effect of the system. For horizontal pipelines, the parallel straight laying method is usually adopted, and the electric tracing belt is attached to the lower part of the pipeline at an angle of 45 degrees, which can not only prevent the water from soaking, but also facilitate the upward conduction of heat. In the case of large pipe diameter or higher heat, spiral winding method can be used to maintain uniform winding spacing and achieve perfect temperature uniformity. When encountering valves, flanges and other pipe fittings, it is necessary to increase the extra length of the electric tracing belt, usually by winding in the shape of "8" or gyration, so as to ensure that these parts with faster heat dissipation can also get enough heat. Experienced installation team will pay special attention to avoid overlapping of electric tracing belts, which will lead to local overheating and shorten service life.

　　Suitable materials and methods are needed to fix the electric tracing belt. Aluminum foil tape is the most commonly used fixing material, which can not only firmly fix the electric tracing belt, but also reflect heat to improve thermal efficiency. When pasting, several points should be fixed along the length direction first, and then covered as a whole. The actual measurement of a project shows that this method saves 30% tape consumption compared with direct and comprehensive pasting. For high temperature environment, it is necessary to use glass fiber cable ties or stainless steel buckles, and the temperature resistance of these materials can reach above 200℃. In the installation case of an offshore platform, a stainless steel sheath was installed on the electric tracing belt, which made it run safely in harsh environment for 8 years without damage.

　　Electrical connection is one of the most critical links in the installation process. Power supply wiring must use a special explosion-proof junction box and ensure good sealing. In the explosion-proof area, all electrical components should meet the corresponding explosion-proof grade requirements. A natural gas treatment plant adopts safety-enhancing junction box with special sealant mud, which perfectly meets the explosion-proof requirements of the area. Tail-end treatment is equally important, usually using double-layer heat-shrinkable sleeve seal, or using special terminal seal. In humid environment, it is necessary to inject waterproof glue before sealing, which can effectively prevent moisture from invading.

　　The installation of the temperature control system needs extra care. The temperature sensor should be close to the surface of the heated pipeline and fixed with aluminum foil tape to ensure good thermal contact. The installation position of the sensor should avoid the direct heating area of the electric tracing belt, and it is usually 90 degrees away from the electric tracing belt. For large-scale systems, the energy efficiency can be significantly improved by adopting zone control. Pipes with different temperature control requirements are divided into independent loops, and each loop is equipped with an independent thermostat and circuit breaker.

　　System debugging is an important step after installation. First of all, conduct a comprehensive insulation test, and use a 500V megohmmeter to ensure that the insulation resistance of all circuits meets the requirements. Then turn on the electricity one by one to check, and use infrared thermometer to confirm whether the fever of each part is normal. Practice shows that systematic debugging can find more than 90% installation problems. Finally, the control parameters should be set, and the temperature set point and temperature difference range should be adjusted according to the medium characteristics and process requirements. Perfect installation records and circuit drawings filing can not be ignored, which provides an important basis for subsequent maintenance.

　　With the development of technology, the installation method of modern electric heat tracing is constantly innovating. The application of wireless temperature monitoring system makes debugging more convenient, and thermal imaging technology can directly display the heating uniformity of the whole pipe network. However, no matter how the technology develops, the standardized installation process, professional construction team and strict quality control are always the basis to ensure the long-term and reliable operation of the electric heating system. From the oil pipeline in the Arctic Circle to the LNG storage tank near the equator, the scientific and reasonable installation method enables the electric heat tracing technology to exert its best performance in various harsh environments around the world.