Unitized Storage Tank Heaters

Process Heating Company offers Lo-Density® Unitized Storage Tank Heaters, which can be installed into any above-ground tank or vat and dissipate controlled heat as low as three watts per square inch on the heater’s sheath to prevent coking or damaging of temperature-sensitive material. Unitized Heaters feature Process Heating Company’s drywell-style elements that reside inside the sheath, making them accessible from outside of the tank and eliminating the need to drain the tank to service the elements. Electric heat offers 100% energy efficiency because all of the energy is used to heat, when compared to the inefficient burning of fossil fuels. Each heating unit is designed for the individual application, and can be customized to meet the specific needs of the manufacturer or user for sheath diameter, number of elements and sheath length, or applications such as extreme temperatures, increased amperage or specialty metals. Typical materials that benefit from precise, electric, low-watt density heating include asphalt, light and heavy fuel oils, diesel, bio-diesel, glycerin, lube oils, hydraulic fluids, resins/epoxies, animal fats, molasses and other sensitive materials. Electric heat also provides additional environmental benefits, including the elimination of stacks to monitor for emissions as well as no air quality or boiler permits to pursue and maintain.

Customizable dimensions make the Unitized Heaters easy to install into either horizontal or vertical tanks/vats. The heater is installed by cutting a rectangular opening near the bottom of the tank, sliding the heating element and control panel assembly into place and welding the unit until it is sealed liquid-tight. Unitized Heaters can be interfaced and coordinated with other electrical equipment so that the load of the heaters can be reduced to base rates, thus preventing increased demand charges or peak-use rates and lowering consumption cost.  UL-listed controls offer easy-to-use complete automation of temperature regulation. The main indicating temperature control regulates the product temperature and includes a high-limit control for safety. The main disconnect and individually fused heat circuits provide overcurrent protection. All components are mounted and prewired in a NEMA Type 4 enclosure. Custom control panels are also available, including SCRs and those that call for computer-based logic circuitry.  Unitized Heaters can be made from mild steel or various grades of stainless steel, depending on the application. The sheath wall thickness ranges up to .300 inch for durability and corrosion resistance. The heating units are suitable for a kilowatt rating of up to 1,000 kW; voltages up to 600 VAC, in single or 3-phase; and watt densities of up to 20 watts per square inch and less than 10 being standard. These immersion heaters are available in immersion lengths of up to 40 feet. Terminal closures come standard with moisture resistance. Process Heating Company stands behind its equipment, offering an industry-exclusive five-year element replacement guarantee.