Essential points to consider for steam tracing in piping systems

Steam tracing is the process of circulating steam on inner and outer sides of process pipes to heat the process piping system. It has a widespread application in industries including Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Food Processing, Refineries, and other similar industries which deal in fuel oils. It is one of the most common elements of the industrial piping system. Steam tracing can add heat, preheat or preclude heat loss from the piping system and its components.

It's evident from the years of learning that steam is an efficient carrier of heat with a fixed combination of pressure and temperature. Steam Tracing is generally used to maintain appropriate temperature, viscosity control, protection from the freeze, or to acquire temperature control point within a fluid for its chemical interaction in the process piping.

Listed below are some of the common reasons for choosing Steam Tracing;

1. Prevents fluids inside the piping system from solidifying because of crystallization, wax separation, and water freezing in a low ambient temperature climate.2. Maintains the precision temperature to retain the fluidity of viscous fluids during no-flow situations, shutdown, and more.3.Helps to prevent fluid component separation due to low temperature4. Prevents freezing contents of fluids5. Prevents gaseous process fluids from condensation6. Ensures pipelines don't get damaged due to cold ambient temperatures or adverse weather conditions.7. Maximize process efficiency, making it reliable and reduces plant downtime

Let's dive a little deeper to understand the design guidelines for steam tracing in piping systems to ensure efficient and reliable engineering operations.

Design parameters: To establish the piping design, gather project-specific data including piping diameter length, temperature types – low ambient, high temperature, maintain temperature, insulation type – thickness, and availability of steam pressure and weather conditions of the location.

Codes and Standards: All the process must comply with the industry standards with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Gather Relevant Data: To establish the piping design, collect project-specific data including piping length, temperature types, insulation type, and availability of steam pressure and weather conditions of the location.

Steam Tracing Size: Most common diameters of different steam tracing are 3/8 inch (9.52 mm) and 1/2 inch (12.7 mm), made of copper or stainless steel tubing. Copper is used for its heat transfer characteristics, whereas stainless steel is preferred as it provides better resistance in corrosive environments.

Fitting Usage: Fitting should be only applied where there is a necessity to join the longest possible length of tracer and should be avoided to use for ease of installation.

Tracing Method: Choose the steam tracing method that closely meets the process design requirements to avoid the overheating effects and conserve energy.

Identify Base Temperature: The process pipe requires steam tracing consisting of particulars, including pipe diameter, insulation thickness, steam pressure, tracer type, and quantity. A process temperature maintenance system must be used based on the tracer type.

Steam Tracing Circuit: Steam tracing circuit length must be defined based on steam pressure, number of tracers, tracer type, and, tracer tubing size.

The slope for Steam Piping: Minimize exposed tubing by circulating steam piping within 12" of the pipeline or equipment that is traced.

Installation of Steam Trap: Each steam tracer should have a separate filter fitted before it.

Hence, while designing an active steam tracing, the above design tips will ensure a properly operating piping system. If you're seeking with piping system design, or piping engineering consultants, you must consider choosing a team of experienced and qualified multidiscipline engineering experts for your engineering project.

Judith Morrison is an expert in the field of industrial engineering and writes articles related to piping, civil, equipment engineering related articles.