SPECIFICATION FOR PIPE HEATERS

0 14.07.2015 First Issue NV US SVK

Rev. Date Revision Description Issued By Checked By Approved By

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing
1.8 SCOPE.......................................................................................................................................................3
1.9 UNIONS....................................................................................................................................................3
1.10 HEAT SENSITIVE LINES..............................................................................................................................4
1.14 IDENTIFICATION TAG................................................................................................................................4
2 4
2.2 CONDENSATE TRAP STATION...................................................................................................................5
3.2 TRACER SECUREMENT..............................................................................................................................5
3.3 PRESSURE TESTING...................................................................................................................................5
4 TRACING REQUIREMENTS FOR LINES - USING HEAT TRANSFER CEMENT...................................................5
4.1 THERMON................................................................................................................................................5
4.2 METHOD AND INSTALLATION..................................................................................................................5
4.3 PRESSURE TESTING...................................................................................................................................5
4.4 SNAP TRACE - USE FOR 204°C AND BELOW..............................................................................................5
4.5 CHANNEL TRACE - USE ABOVE 204°C.......................................................................................................6
4.6 IRREGULAR SURAFCES..............................................................................................................................6
4.7 CURING AND WEATHER PROOFING.........................................................................................................6
4.7 MATERIALS...............................................................................................................................................6
5 EQUIPMENT TRACING REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................................7
5.1 GENERAL..................................................................................................................................................7
5.2 MAXIMUM LENGTH OF TRACERS.............................................................................................................7
5.3 HEAT TRANSFER CEMENT.........................................................................................................................7
6 INSTRUMENT STEAM TRACING...................................................................................................................7
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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing

Change Log Summary

1.8 SCOPE
Bending of tubing shall be done with a tube bender. Forming by hand-bending shall be kept to a minimum.

1.8.1 The pre-insulated tubing in most cases can be installed by hand with bends over a simple mandrel.

1.8.2 There are rare cases where very tight bends, less than the recommended radius, must be made.
This requires stripping the jacket to bare metal - see Figure 5 for details. It is imperative that the exposed
ends of the insulation be covered with sealant to prevent deterioration of the insulation and in some case,
it will cause damage to the tubing if the material is susceptible to corrosion.

1.9 UNIONS
Tubing unions shall be installed in tracers where necessary to permit removal of items that require
maintenance such as pumps, relief valves, instruments, control valves, strainer baskets, and the like.
Unions in tracers shall be located outside of the pipe insulation.
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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing
1.10 HEAT SENSITIVE LINES
When heat sensitive or corrosive fluids such as caustic, certain acids and glycerin are being carried, care
must be taken to prevent the tracer prom coming into direct contact with the product line. Apply 1” wide
insulating tape between the tracers and pipe to maintain ½” clearance.

1.14 IDENTIFICATION TAG

Each tracer for a process line will be identified by two tags - one at the steam supply source, the other
adjacent to the steam trap at the end of tracer. The following information will be shown the identification
tag in addition to the line number.

TR – 113 - 3A

Tracer Tracer number

Unit Steam source station

The tag detail is as follows:

TR-113-3A

Line PI1416 16-gauge stainless steel

1/4-inch hole

2
drawing is made for each station. Stations are also assigned numbers and located on the plot plan, piping
drawings, or the model, indicating unit number, station number and whether they are supply or trap
stations. Supply stations are indicated with circles and trap stations with hexagons - Sample below.

2.1.1 Steam Supply Station

Take-offs for tracers shall be from steam supply stations that are readily accessible from a platform or
grade. Each station supply sub header shall be supplied with a shut-off valve and each tracer must be
individually valve. See Figures 1 and 2.

2.1.2 Tracer Supply and Return Tubing

Pre-insulated tubing, with factory applied insulation and polyvinal chloride jacket such as Dekoron 2200
series, or CXT & SSIT manufactured by TRW Crescent Wire and Cable, shall be used to carry steam from a
tracer supply station to the process line to be traced or steam condensate from a tracer to a condensate
trap station.

2.2.3 Stainless steel tubing and fittings shall be in accordance with Table V of this standard.

2.1.4 Insulation shall be designed for the operating temperature of the traced equipment or line.
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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing
2.2 CONDENSATE TRAP STATION
Steam traps shall be installed below and close to the equipment or pipe being drained. Tracer routing shall
be such that traps, and trap manifold locations will not interfere with operation and maintenance of
equipment or obstruct access ways.

A separate trap shall be installed for each tracer at its terminal. If a tracer exceeds the maximum
permissible trapping length, a new tracer from the steam supply header shall been installed for
continuing the tracing of the product line.

3.2 TRACER SECUREMENT

For lines that are 2” (60.33 mm) and smaller 18-gauge (BWG) soft, 18-8 stainless-steel wire, shall be
spaced at approximately 18” (457.20 mm) intervals to secure tracer to pipe. Extra care must be exercised
to prevent crimping the tubing.

3.3 PRESSURE TESTING

All pressure testing shall be completed before application of the insulation.

4 TRACING REQUIREMENTS FOR LINES - USING HEAT TRANSFER CEMENT

4.1 THERMON
This section is written around the trade name Thermon. Other brands may be offered as an alternative.

Themon Snap-Trace jacket shall be used for steam and process temperatures 204°C and under. For
temperatures 205°C and above, Thermon Channel Trace will be used. For valves and other irregular
surfaces, standard grade Thermon heat transfer cement shall be toweled on manually.

4.2 METHOD AND INSTALLATION

Tracers embedded in heat transfer cement shall be installed parallel and adjacent to the process line and
shall be located on the most accessible surface of the process line. If more than one tracer is used, they
shall be spaced not closer than 3 inches. See Figure 7.

4.2.1. Tracers shall be in direct contact with the process line over their entire lengths.

4.2.2 Do not install expansion loops in tracers applied with heat transfer cement.

4.3 PRESSURE TESTING

All pressure testing shall be completed before the application of heat transfer cement.

4.4 SNAP TRACE - USE FOR 204°C AND BELOW

4.4.1 Snap Trace consists of lengths of preformed heat transfer cement extruded in 4 foot sections to fit
over the outside of the tube tracer and is covered by TFK channels. It is non-soluble in water.

4.4.2 Snap Trace is permanently bonded to the process pipe by tightly strapping the TFK channel with
stainless steel bands. No curing procedures are necessary where used and that part of the installed system
can be put into service immediately. No weather proofing, except temporary protection from erosion of
rain or moisture is required.
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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing
4.5 CHANNEL TRACE - USE ABOVE 204°C
Installation methods are similar to Snap Trace. For application, the 4 foot stock length channel should be
filled with Thermon standard grade of heat transfer cement using an ordinary hand trowel. A V-shaped
striking tool is used to remove a small portion of cement from the channel, leaving a V-groove. The tool
should be dipped in water prior to striking, to prevent cement from sticking to the tool.

4.5.1 Install the channel over the tracer tube immediately after being filled with cement. Center the
channel over the tracer and press snugly against the pipe. Temporary tie-wires, which are holding the
tracer in place, shall be removed prior to applying the channel. Adjacent sections of channel shall be
butted together without overlapping. Secure channels with stainless steel bands spaced on 16-inch
centers, with one centered over each butt joint.

4.5.2 Where the tracer tube enters or leaves the channel, the steam and condensate terminal points
shall be secured to the traced pipe with two stainless steel bands. The bands shall be securely tightened to
prevent movement of the tubing.

4.5.3 The exposed portion of the bare tubing between the terminal points and the pre-insulated
jacketed tubing leads shall be wrapped with insulating tape. Apply a mastic coating over this tape with a
stiff brush. Do not cover the unions.

4.5.4 For elbows, use short channel sections and install as shown in Figure 15.

4.5.5 The manufacturers’ min. application temperature is 0°C for standard grade. Thermon heat transfer
cement. However, the cement should not be applied during weather colder than 4°C without taking extra
precautions such as preheating the cement, piping, vessels, equipment and the mechanical application
equipment.

4.6 IRREGULAR SURAFCES

After cleaning procedure is followed, standard grade heat transfer cement may be applied to irregular
surfaces. It should be so applied to the traced equipment that the tracer is completely embedded in the
cement with a minimum thickness over the tubing of 1/4 inch. In order to eliminate air pockets and ensure
maximum surface contact, the cement should fill all voids between the equipment surface and the tracer
tube.

4.7 CURING AND WEATHER PROOFING

For systems using Snap Trace and Channel Trace, curing of the cement is unnecessary and the
system can be put into service immediately.

4.7.1 On valves and other irregular shaped equipment where Thermon Standard T-3 and T-63 Grade is
installed in a large mass, the normal curing time is 4 to 12 hours at a temperature from 71°C to 100°C.

4.7.2 Thermon Standard T-3 and T-63 Grade heat transfer cement is water soluble and requires the
same moisture protection necessary for most insulation materials. The use of polyethylene film is
recommended for the purpose of shedding rain.

4.7 MATERIALS
The following are basic materials mentioned in this section.
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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing
Heat Transfer Cements

Thermon Standard F-3 and T-63 Grade

Thermon Channel Trace (For temperatures above 204°C)

Thermon Snap Trace (For temperatures 204°C and below)

CHANNELS

4-foot stock lengths 16-gauge galvanized steel, Thermon TFK-4

BANDS

1/2- by .020-inch, Type 316 stainless steel, with matching seals for securing channel to pipe.

5 EQUIPMENT TRACING REQUIREMENTS

5.1 GENERAL
Equipments which require steam tracing-wire not normally provided with clips, studs, or other means of
attaching the tracer.

This section of the standard has been written around banding, wiring, and finger strapping. This does not
preclude welding of attachments on those pieces of equipment where field welding is permissible. Any
field welding for the purpose of attaching steam tracers must be reviewed and approved before
fabrication.

5.2 MAXIMUM LENGTH OF TRACERS

Table VII gives the maximum length of a hairpin tracing section for vertical vessel diameter 48 inches and
larger. For vertical vessels smaller than 48 inches in diameter, use spiral wrapping around the
circumference of the vessel on a 6-inch center.

5.3 HEAT TRANSFER CEMENT

On those installations where tracing is bonded to equipment with heat transfer cement, use T-80 Thermon
cement to 162°C. Installation of heat transfer cement on equipment above 162°C shall be reviewed and
approve.

All enamel must be removed from the area to which heat transfer cement is to be applied. Residue must
be cleaned with solvent and rage. Dirt, loose scale, and rust must be removed by wire brush or
sandblasting.

6 INSTRUMENT STEAM TRACING

6.1 Pre-insulated tubing will be used to carry tracing steam from a tracing steam station to the
instrument piping and/or enclosure to be heated. Steam to the tracing station must be provided from a
steam.

Sub header valve at the main steam line.

6.2 At the instrument piping or enclosure, a transition to a steam traced bundle containing one or two
process tubes and a steam tube may be required as shown in Figure 24 through Figure 32, 36 and 37.
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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing

TABLE – I

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE 0°C USING 10.3 Bar STEAM AT 181°C

HOLDING TEMPERATURES
TRACED

LINE SIZE REMARKS

1"

1 1/2"

2"

3"

4"

6"

8"

10"

12"

14"

16"

18"

20"

24"

30"

36"

42"

TABLE – II: MAXIMUM TRAPING LENGTHS

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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing
TRACED HOLDING TEMPERATURES

LINE SIZE
10°C 37°C 65°C 93°C 149°C
(INCHES)

1 500 500 500 500 400

1 1/2 500 500 500 500 350

2 500 400 400 400 350

3 400 400 400 400 300

4 400 400 350 200 250

6 350 350 350 200 250

8 350 350 350 200 200

10 350 350 350 200 200

12 350 350 350 200 200

14 350 350 200 200 200

16 300 300 200 200 200

18 300 300 150 150 200

20 300 300 150 150 200

24 300 300 150 150 200

30 thru 42 300 300 150 150 200

* Size and number of tracers are shown in Table I. The equivalent length of various valves and
fittings in the tracing circuit must be subtracted from the trapping distance shown above from the
computerized results.

TABLE – III
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TRACING STEAM SUPPLY STEAM HEADER

NUMBER OF ½ – INCH TRACERS TRACER SUPPLY LINE SIZE (1)

3 or less 1 inch

4 through 11 1 ½ inch

12 through 25 2 inch

TABLE – IV

TRACING STEAM CONDENSATE RETURN LINE

NUMBER OF ½ – INCH STEAM TRAPS (2) CONDENSATE RETURN LINE SIZE

4 or less 1 inch

5 through 12 1 ½ inch

13 through 25 2 inch

NOTES:

Run separate sub header. Do not take any individual tracers off the main stem line.

TABLE – V

MINIMUM BEND RADIUS FOR PRE-INSULATED TUBING

MATERIAL DEKORON SERIES 316 SS TUBING

Number and size of tubes - Inches (1) 3/8 (2) 3/8 (3) 3/8

Minimum Bend Radius - Inches 10 12 13

Number and size of tubes - Inches (1) ½ (2) ½ (3) ½

Minimum Bend Radius - Inches 12 14 14

TABLE – VI: MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

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Title: Specification for Steam Tracing
OPERATING SIZE
ITEM TEMPERATURE INCHE DESCRIPTION
°C S

1 Any - Ladder-type cable tray, hot-dipped galvanized, rung spacing 12 inches

2 Any - Instruct channel - P-3300 with pipe clamps

3 Any - Identification Tag

4 Any - Hi-Temp end sealant

5 Any ½ Gate valve, 800 pound forged steel, screwed/ socket weld ends

Pre-insulated tubing, one 1/2-inch OD x 0.035-inch wall, type 316 SMLS stainless
6 149°C -
steel tubes, nominal bundle OD 1 7/8 inches.

Pre-insulated tubing, two 1/2-inch OD x 0.035-inch wall, type 316 SMLS stainless
7 149°C -
steel tubes, nominal bundle OD 1 7/8 inches.

8 399°C ½ Tube and male pipe thread adapter, type 316 stainless steel

9 Any ½ Steam trap, thermodynamic, screwed ends

TABLE – VII

MAXIMUM LENGTH OF HAIRPIN SECTION FOR TRACING

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DIAMETER CIRCUMFERENCE
MAXIMUM LENGTH OF NUMBER OF SECTION LENGTH
EACH SECTION (INCHES) SECTIONS (INCHES)
(INCHES) (INCHES)

48 150 96 2 75

54 170 96 2 85

60 188 96 2 94

66 207 96 3 69

72 226 96 3 75

78 245 96 3 82

84 264 96 3 88

90 282 96 3 94

96 302 96 4 75

102 AND
- 144 4 VARIES
LARGER
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FIGURE 5

SUGGESTED METHOD FOR INSULATING DEKORON

SHARP ANGLE BENDS

Strip back length needed to make bend as shown in detail 'a'. Detail 'b' shows application of dekoron hi-
temp sealant to exposed ends of stripped dekoron. Allow sufficient for sealant to cure. Wrap 1/2- inch
thick by 1½ -inch wide insulating tape to the same thickness as the dekoron jacket – see detail 'c'. Apply
mastic with a stiff brush over the insulating tape. Extending about ½-inch past the seam – see detail’d’.
Childer’s mastic coating for brush or spray is cp-11-1 for a metallic-gray color and cp-11-2 for black. For a
neat appearance use a strip of making tape at each end when applying, strip off when finished
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