Electric heat tracing system retrofit cuts installation costs 50%, saves over $7000/yr in energy

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States)

OSTI ID:6827286

Priba, P; Toy, D A

The existing steam tracing line on a two inch pour point depressant line at the Conoco refinery in Ponca City, OK had become an energy waster and had required increasingly more operator attention for maintenance and repair. The 2000' steam supply line at one time served several steam tracing and process needs but, due to changes in steam usage, had currently been supplying only the one steam tracer. The steam tracing line had been wasting energy because it had been originally installed (when energy was cheap) to operate 100% of the time. With flow through the insulated pour point depressant line, heat loss would be small enough that tracing was not necessary. Also, because the steam tracing was not regulated by a thermostat, the line would often be heated to temperatures well above the required 70/sup 0/F. A self-regulating electric heat tracing system was found that, when installed in the existing steam tracing tube, provided an economical solution which avoided the removal and reapplication of the lagging and insulation. The electrical tracer, which can be installed in steam tracing tubes of 3/8'' of larger, provides all of the advantages of retrofitting to an electrical system at a fraction of the cost. Turning off the 2000' steam line and utilizing electrical tracing has saved over $7000/yr in energy costs. Maintenance costs for the steam line have been eliminated. Due to its low installed cost and savings in energy and maintenance, the self-regulating electric heat tracing system is being considered by Conoco for installation in other locations in the plant.

• Research Organization: Conoco, Inc.
• OSTI ID: 6827286
• Journal Information: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States) Vol. 49:12; ISSN CHPCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CONTROL SYSTEMS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONTROLLERS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY LOSSES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT LOSSES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LOSSES
MAINTENANCE
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
REPAIR
STEAM
STEAM LINES