Last updated on November 1st, 2018 at 10:07 pm

Circulation immersion heaters are a special type of industrial heater that contain packaged units designed to heat liquid using inline piping configurations. The heaters are used for heating different kinds of liquids in multiple industries. They are generally used for pressurized processing liquids.

One of the most popular usages of circulation heater is heating storage tanks. The heating elements are installed in an insulated steel vessel. The insulated vessel promotes efficient heat transfer and prevents heat dissipation into the ambient environment. In short, circulation immersion heaters promote high heat transfer and minimize overall heat loss.

In this article, we will provide you detailed information regarding circulation immersion heater.

Overview of Circulation Immersion Heaters

Circulation immersion heaters are also called inline heaters. These types of immersion heaters consists of Screw Plug or Flanged Immersion heaters depending on the size and kilowatt rating required to heat the liquid. They use stainless steel, titanium, steel for heating liquids with different strength and viscosity.

Mounted brackets on the circulation immersion heaters provide easy installation. Circulation heaters use a pump that circulates the liquid through the closed pipe circuit. This results in optimum transfer of heat that retains for longer duration.

The immersion heaters come in a range of watt densities suitable for different types of liquids with wattage requirements correlated to the flow rate of the liquid inside the heater. The liquid enters the heater via an inlet valve after which heat is applied to it. After the liquid is heated, it exits through the outlet nozzle and circulates through the piping circuit.

Features & Design

• ANSI size 2” – 42”
• Standard 150-pound; 300 and 600 pound circulation heaters are also available.
• Steel, copper, Incoloy, Inconel, stainless steel, titanium and other heater sheaths
• Digitally Controlled thermocouples and thermostats (0-255F), (55-550F)
• NEMA 7 Explosion Proof Terminal Box
• NEMA 1 Standard Terminal Box
• NEMA 4/4X Water Proof Terminal Box

Application of Circulation Immersion Heaters

  Circulation immersion heaters made of low carbon sheath is used to heat asphalt, wax, molten salt, tar, fluid heat transfer media, and other non-corrosive liquids. Fuel oils are heated using 8 watts/sq.in. steel sheath heaters while lightweight oils, degreasing solutions and heat transfer oil are heating using 23 watts/sq.ich steel sheaths.

Incoloy circulation immersion heaters are composed of nickel, chromium and iron alloy. The high nickel alloy helps in resistance to corrosion and scaling. The circulation immersion heater is used for air heating and potable water and other liquids that are not corrosive to Incloy sheath. Liquid Parafin, Heat transfer oil are heated using 16 watts/s.q. in. incoloy sheath heaters. Forced air, degreasing solutions and caustic solutions are heated using 23 watts/sq.in. while process water is heated through 48 watts/sq.in. incloy sheath heaters.

Copper sheath with 60 watts/sq.in. is mainly used for heating clean water used in rinse tanks, washrooms, showers, and freeze protection of storage tanks. Finally, stainless steel sheath circulation heaters is perfect for heating application in certain corrosive environments especially those that cause pitting due to presence of chlorides.