Why electric heating tape is used in heat pipes

　　In the modern city heating system and industrial heat energy transmission network, the stable operation of heat pipeline is directly related to the warmth of thousands of families and the continuity of factory production. Electricity accompanies heat technology with its accurate temperature control, high efficiency and energy saving characteristics, become guarantee heat pipeline safe operation of important technical means.

　　This seems to be a simple heating method, actually contains the wisdom of solving many traditional heat pipeline problems, from anti-freezing protection to temperature maintenance, from energy saving to intelligent management, electric accompanied by heat tape is in the field of heat pipeline to play an irreplaceable role.

　　The biggest challenge faced by the heat pipeline in the cold season is the risk of freezing during the shutdown period. Traditional steam or hot water heat tracing methods also face the threat of freezing when the pipeline is out of service, while the electric heat tracing system can provide an independent and reliable heat source guarantee. When the main heating system is shut down due to faults or maintenance, the heat tracing system can be activated immediately to prevent equipment damage caused by freezing of the medium in the pipework. This kind of design has become the standard configuration of modern heat pipe network, and provides a strong guarantee for the safety of heat supply in winter.

　　Temperature maintenance is another important function of electric accompanying heat in heat pipeline. For conveying high viscosity medium heat pipeline, such as heavy oil, asphalt, etc., maintain the appropriate temperature is to ensure the normal flow of the key. The electric accompanying heat system can control the pipeline temperature accurately, and keep the medium viscosity in the best conveying range. Compared with the traditional way of accompanying heat, the temperature control precision of electric accompanying heat can reach ±1℃, and this precision significantly reduces the energy consumption of conveying. This energy-saving effect is especially significant in long-distance heat pipelines.

　　The flexibility of electric accompanying heat system is especially suitable for complex heat pipe network. City heat pipeline often need to cross a variety of complex terrain and environment, there are a large number of elbows, valves, compensators and other special parts. Electricity accompanies the heat tape to lay along the pipeline flexibly, easy to cope with all kinds of complex direction. For the traditional heat tracing method is difficult to deal with the pipe fittings parts, electric heat tracing can increase the winding density or individual control to ensure uniform heating. This adaptability makes the design of the heat pipe network more free, and it is not necessary to sacrifice the optimal pipeline direction for the accompanying heat demand.

　　Safety and reliability are key considerations when choosing electrical trace heating for heat pipes. Modern electric heat tracing systems are equipped with multiple safety protections, including overheat protection, leakage protection and short circuit protection. Explosion-proof products can be used in hazardous areas where flammable and explosive gases exist. Self-regulating electric heat tracing does not overheat even in the event of an overlap, an intrinsically safe feature that is particularly suited to the complex environment of heat pipes.

　　Intelligent management capabilities give new possibilities for heat pipes. The application of internet of things technology makes the electric heat tracing system can be monitored and controlled remotely, and the operation and maintenance personnel can grasp the temperature condition of each section of the pipeline network in real time. Big data analysis can optimise operation strategies, and predictive maintenance can detect potential problems in advance. These intelligent functions make the operation and management of heat pipe network from passive response to active prevention, and greatly improve the quality and efficiency of heat supply.

　　Economic analyses show that electric heat tracing has long-term advantages in heat pipe applications. Although the initial investment may be slightly higher than the traditional heat tracing method, the operating cost of the electric heat tracing system is significantly reduced, and the maintenance cost is greatly reduced. Full life cycle costing shows that most of the heat pipeline projects can recover the additional investment of electric heat tracing in 3-5 years. With technological advances, the service life of electric heat tracing has been extended to 10-15 years, further enhancing its economic value. This kind of long-term economic benefit makes the electricity accompanies the heat to become the heat pipeline to accompany the heat of the rational choice.

　　From the actual application effect, electric accompanying heat technology is reshaping the heat pipeline accompanying heat way. It not only solves the traditional accompanying heat insurmountable technical problems, but also provides a brand-new solution for the safe operation, energy saving and intelligent management of heat pipe network. With the continuous growth of urban heating demand and the transformation and upgrading of energy structure, the application prospect of electric accompanying heat technology in the field of heat pipeline will be more broad.