FRP Tank:Keeping warm

[shahyar]

Using hetater elemts inside of fiber glass tanks is the only way to keep warm a fiberglass tank or we can use steam?electrical tracing on such tanks?

Thanks

 

[MedicineEng]

I don't have experience with this but and with hot water?
The only problem that you have with FRP is the temperature limit that if I am not mistaken is somewhere in the range of 90C. As such, I would not recomend steam. Is it a possibility a heat exchanger steam-water and use the hot water to circulate in the jacket/heater elements?

 

[jdarco]

Are you trying to heat up the product in an FRP tank or keep a warm product warm?

You can use electric immersion heaters, or internal coils using either hot water or steam (you need to watch temperature and keep steam away from direct contact with the FRP)if you need to warm up the product. If you need to keep a warm product warm, you can use external heat panels or heat trace, with insulation around the outside of the tank. Thermon, Chromalox,etc...all have systems that can be used on FRP.

 

[kenvlach]

For sure do not use electric or steam tracing on the outside of a FRP to get the contents to 90^oC.

Steam (low pressure, 15 psi) HXers & electric heaters are used all the time to heat metal finishing solutions in open top tanks. Electroless nickel (EN) typically is plated at 90^oC in polypropylene tanks. Of course, plenty of support is used -- full-bottom, girth ribs & top flange.

If using an electric heater in an EN solution, be sure it is 'de-rated' [more surface per wattage, so don't locally overheat the solution]. Also, use support legs & standoffs for better circulation & to avoid contact with the plastic. Plus, use liquid level-controlled safety shutoffs on the heater -- electric heaters are the no. 1 cause of fires in plating facilities.

What are you heating?

 

[shahyar]

Thank guys.
What I trying to do is keeping acid hydrochloric solution on 10 degree C, in north of canada, where the min temp is minus 45 degC.