One-time heating?
Continuous?
Once in a while?
Only in emergencies?
How much space around the pipe?
Above ground or in basement or in an open room or under water or ....?
What fluid, what pressure, what margins or concerns about safety?
Continuously monitored by a person?
Remote site with no people around/
Done by qualified operators under supervision, by plant employees permanently employed, or maintenance personal with no training or by unskilled labor and likely no discipline or care?
So, the fluid in the "pipe" heats up. How are you going to control or limit pressure rise?
Vapor production in the pipe?
Fluid itself from burning or charring or breaking up (like a food production line of butter or liquid soap or paint or lubricating oil?)
Drilling fluid flowing through it continuously. About 1.5" diameter. We have a good bit of space around the pipe, but it is confined to a 3'x3'x3' box. Looking for electric options. Anyone have experience with band heaters?
I think you're on the right track with a band heater at that small size. The other option I'd consider would be simple electrical heat tracing wound tightly around the pipe. The best solution will depend on how much heat you need to transfer, inspection/service requirements, etc...
There are 150 watt immersion heaters available that will screw into a 3/8" pipe plug for R/V (recreational vehicle) water heaters. An immersion heater is the way to go unless there is some reason it absolutely cannot be used.
