What is an Immersion Heater?

Immersion heaters are used to heat many liquid substances like water, oil, chemicals and even to stabilize gas within their tanks. They are used in many industries within different liquid storing tanks, during the processing of pipes and in pressurizing the storing containers. This product is made in such a way so as to withstand almost any environment and you can make use of it either in a pure water tank or under any acidic medium.

Types of Immersion Heaters
Different types of these heaters are widely available which are used according to their purpose. A few most common are given below;

·        Over the side heaters – These are designed especially for such tanks, which do not support any heater; you have to attach the contraption at the side of the tank to make it work. You must put the heater down into the tank from the top and attach it to sidewall, which once turned ON will circulate the flow of heat.
 

·        Flanged heater – This type of heater comes with a bent tool that needs to be welded at the time of installation. Wiring box is also available with the contraption that houses the entire heating control system along with temperature control feature. Most common use of this flanged immersion heater is within pressurized vessels and tanks carrying liquid element. You can also monitor and even control the machine.

·        Threaded/Screw Plug Heater –This heater can be directly welded at the side of the tank and also has a wiring box with all the control mechanism built in. This heater not only keeps the liquid at a stable temperature but also prevents it from freezing in cold weather.
Image is given below,

No matter which type of heating device you use, it is very common that when their life span is completed, they are likely to get a burn out. However, in this case, you do not need to buy a new device from the scratch, instead just change the heating element and it will all be as good as new.
 
Use in Industries
The main purpose of immersion heaters is to generate heat within a tank so they are considered as a valuable tool within many industries that are engaged in the manufacture of items like oil, chemicals, petroleum and similar others. The correct way to install these is to dip the entire coil that is the actual heating tool within the liquid that is to be treated.
 
Oil Immersion Heaters
These are permanently installed to the oil tank or container, which cannot be detached. They are designed with a strong body and robust technology to make them withstand any environment along with being long lasting then others. Oil heaters also require little space for installation as they are smaller in size.

The control mechanism and heating tool, which is also called the “pocket tube”, is kept outside of the tank so it is protected from the oil itself. This is also beneficial, as in case the heater goes haywire, you will not need to empty the entire tank just to fix it.
Most common aspect of oil immersion heater is the surface load, which must be kept at a constant temperature in order to prevent the oil from getting deteriorated. If this happens, carbon layer will be amassed on the device that will interrupt the heat transfer.
 
Technical Specifications
There are many different companies, which are engaged in the production and manufacture of these heaters so it totally depends on the buyer for which purpose they are actually buying for. The price is set according to the use of the heater like if you want to use it simply as water heating tool, then you can have it at quite a low price but as you proceed further with a more complicated use mainly in oil and gas industries, cost also rises. Immersion heaters are also available in many different shapes and sizes depending on the substance you need to heat.

Working with customer feedback ad demands many companies have aimed to improve the quality of service that they deliver. Improvements have been made in various aspects such as a robust design, power usage capacity, the effectiveness of casing or covering and the accurate length of the rod shaped tool to be dipped.

Usually, an electric or immersion heater is composed of a metallic base that is carefully welded with electric heaters. These heaters are flat or long, tubular shaped depending on the design and manufacturing concept. Each heating rod is coated with superior quality Nickel Chromium wire along with Magnesium Oxide which is an electric insulator that is used for quick heating, prevention against rust and corrosion. Beside this, all of this is especially designed to make it shock resisting but still, one must be very careful while handling these types of tools. Temperature controlling mechanism is also built in within the contraption so you can adjust the heat as per requirement.

Check below for more details;

Voltage– 24Vdc to 3x690Vac

Immersion Length– As per requirement

Temperature Control– Fixed or adjustable

Heating Material– Brass or stainless steel

Control Box– Electrified silumin or copper, coated steel

Immersion heaters are also known as electric heaters in general and are used widely within many industries and even in households. When dipped within a liquid like water or oil, they immediately start with the heating process and continue to do so until the specified temperature that has been set by the user is not obtained. Once the power is turned ON, the current will start to flow from the product and will spread all across the liquid so it is strongly advised never to put any conductor in the container or to expose it to any body part.