Glycol Heat Tracing for Water Submerged Piping

[ChE51]

I am finding it difficult to find a solution to my heat tracing problem. I need to trace a 4" steel pipe under water. The problem with ordinary electrical heat tracing is that it cannot be insulated under water. So I am thinking of a jacketed pipe with a glycol heat tracing system. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of a good manufacturer of such a system?

Regards
ChE51

 

[saxon]

che51, I would be concerned about the use of glycol as the heat transfer fluid in this application. Especially, if the water which the submerged pipe is in happens to be surface waters. What's going to happen when the tracer develops leaks? Which it will. Depending on temp. requirements, you may want to look at hot water or steam, no environmental problems with leaks here.

As for jacketed pipe sources try:

Apex Piping, Bristol Metals, De Dietrich USA, Controls Southeast, Pfaudler Inc. Zink Corp.

Hope this helps.

saxon

 

[ChE51]

Thanks saxon,

I was thinking of jacketed (like pipe in pipe) with no leaks then a copper tubing inside with glycol circulated in it. If you still think there are going to be leaks outside of the pipe how can I insulate tracing under water?

 

[saxon]

che51, Oh! I thought you were thinking of circulating the fluid between the jacket and the conveying pipe. If your running tracers in the space, then the leakage concerns are minimized, but if you circulate hot water through the inner space, then the need for tracing is eliminated, and environmental concerns are also eliminated.

Check with the manufacturers. They may have something on the shelf right up your alley.

saxon

 

[ChE51]

I need to use glycol instead of steam because this is an outdoor lagoon that I am drawing from and if there was ever a power failure then the water would freeze up but the glycol would not. Thanks for the help.