Process Heat

Below you will find published articles written by Valin's own experts and information from our suppliers.   
Submitted by Jon Irvine || Valin Corporation
Heating a Tank for an Industrial Process

Taking a systematic approach to specifying a tank heater can help ensure the equipment specified delivers the heating performance desired. Factors to consider include the amount of energy needed, heat loss, direct or indirect heating, materials of construction, and controls.

Submitted by Jon Irvine || Valin Corporation
How to Choose the Proper Process Controller

There are many types of options to sift through, and keying in on the ones that benefit your process the most will guide you to the most appropriate controller.

Submitted by Jon Irvine || Valin Corporation
Advantages of Leak Detection Technology in Power Plants

The first step to solving a problem is recognizing that one is present. An operations team cannot adequately put a sufficient maintenance plan in place if there is no awareness that maintenance is required.

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation
Watlow power controller

For any process where temperature needs to be monitored or controlled, a thermal loop is required. Typically, a process that contains a thermal loop includes some key elements: the process itself, the temperature sensor or transmitter, the temperature controller and the power controller. 

Submitted by Ryan Kraus || Valin Corporation
Watlow Circulation Heaters

In this article, featured in Process Heating Magazine, Ryan Kraus discusses the various criteria to consider when selecting a circulation heater.

Averting a Gen-set Disaster

A fuel leak in any part of a generator set can potentially be a catastrophe for the operator. But the issue can be tackled.

Steam vs. Electric Heating — The Basics

Most facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI) require some form of heat. The amount of heat required and the necessary level of consistency can vary from process to process. Regardless of the details, engineers must decide on a heating source that works best for a particular process.

Submitted by Randy Mulvaney || Valin Corporation
Silicon-Controlled Rectifier Power Controls: Worth the Investment

In terms of what matters to most in the field today, it is safe to assume that reliability, flexibility, accuracy and cost are at the top of the list. With these factors in mind, implementing a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) control system for an electric heater is often an optimal approach.

Submitted by Fred Gridley || Valin
Control Panel Enclosure

Maintaining a consistent internal environment for your enclosures is critical for equipment to function properly. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has defined standards for specific enclosures designed for the application and environment when correctly installed. Learn more.

Submitted by Jon Cloy || Valin Corporation
Electric Process Heaters

Reducing the amount of hydrocarbon leakage from compressor stations is not only imperative for the environment, but for your bottom line. Compressor-related emissions can be reduced by using electric heaters to heat the pressurized natural gas.

Submitted by Jon Irvine || Valin Corporation
Process Piping and Heat: Solutions to Consider

There are several different processes that require a product to flow through a pipe from one piece of equipment to another. A certain level of heat is often required for this process piping, and this heat must be at very high levels for many applications.

Submitted by Patrick Bartell || Valin Corporation
Electric Process Heater Systems for Catalytic Regeneration

Achieving effective catalyst regeneration requires a process that produces a very high level of heat in a very efficient manner. Over the years, there have been several different approaches to create this required heat. Traditional steam and heated transfer media have limitations. Learn more.

Submitted by Jay Van Horn || Valin Corporation
Installation Practices Key to Successful Heat Tracing

Laying out an effective heat tracing design requires careful attention to detail. Every aspect of the system must be meticulously considered, including both the temperature requirements of the fluids being protected as well as the physical characteristics of the equipment being heat traced.

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation
Accutrace

An operator in a fluid handling process is only as effective as his ability to work with a given controller. If there are factors that keep this individual from doing what is necessary for a smooth operation, adjustments need to be made.

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin
Industrial Heaters: Reducing Premature Failure

Premature heater failures can lead to unexpected process downtime. Tactics such as testing, planned replacement programs and preventing moisture ingress can help prevent premature heater failures.

Submitted by Patrick Bartell || Valin Corporation

A plant operator’s biggest fear is an unplanned shutdown. The process can place a heavy amount of stress on both operations and maintenance personnel. Alternatively, taking full advantage of a planned shutdown or turnaround is critical.

Submitted by Patrick Bartell || Valin Corporation
Ammonia Vaporization

Developing a strong preventative maintenance plan for plant shutdowns and turnarounds is the best way for operators to minimize the risk of equipment failure, which can lead to unnecessary shutdowns and ultimately, higher costs.

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation
Before Winter Strikes, Check the Heat Trace

With the cold months on the precipice, November is a great time to review the actions that plant managers and operators should take to better ensure a winter free from incident.

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation
Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation

Thermocouples and controllers themselves do not prevent a failure from occurring. What they can do is create a temperature profile for a heater that can be used as a maintenance log.

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation
Coal-Fired Power Plants

In today's coal-fired power generation plant, one element of critical preventative maintenance is keeping everything at a temperature that will prevent instrumentation from freezing. Learn more about the successful application of heat trace solutions in coal-fired power generation plants.

Submitted by Ryan Whittaker
Heat Trace Cables Embedded in Concrete Pads

In applications requiring heated concrete to prevent snow or ice accumulation, the ideal solution is mineral insulated heat trace cables embedded in concrete.

Submitted by Ryan Whittaker || Valin Corporation
Heat Trace Cables: Avoid Ice Buildup on Commercial Roofs

In environments with persistent cold weather, ice buildup on flat commercial roofs is both a safety hazard and a costly liability for many businesses. There are three main roof drainage systems used by commercial facilities: drainage, scupper and traditional pitch and gutter drainage. Learn more.

Submitted by Jamie Zachary | PROCESSWest
Multi-Megawatt Electric Heating System Solutions | PROCESSWest

Tasked with increased demand for high power output, many operators in North American sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical have been challenged by low-voltage solutions and their associated logistical challenges.

Submitted by Jon Irvine
Best Practices in CONTROL

Considering the number of variables, gaining precise control of a process heating application can be a difficult task. In industries with a high demand for consistent quality, controlling the temperature of a substance from the start to the finish of a process is an absolute necessity. Learn more.

Submitted by Jon Newton, featured in Product Design & Development Magazine

Proper treatment of boiler systems when they are off line is a constant concern for those managing and overseeing the operations of a power plant. Many power plants are known in the industry as peaker plants, meaning they are not running constantly.

Submitted by Buildings Smarter Facility Management

The Snofree Roof Panel System protects against ice formations and resulting water damage. The material, shape, and mass of its extruded aluminum core and steel enclosure maximizes the transfer of heat and minimizes energy usage.

Submitted by Anne Vazquez | Facility Executive Magazine

Valin Corporation has introduced the   from Heat Trace Specialists, which is designed to protect facilities against ice formations and the resulting water damage. This product is part of the company’s heat trace technology solutions for commercial and residential markets.

Submitted by Jon Irvine, Featured in Automation.com Magazine

A temperature sensor is a key component of any process heating application as it provides temperature feedback about the process, which can be used to monitor or control the process