Technologies

Series-resistance heating technology

PetroTrace^TM series-resistance heating cables are used when circuit lengths exceed the ratings of conventional parallel-resistance heating cables and a single power source is needed. Ohmic heating of the conductor provides the heat in this series circuit heating cable. Engineering design by Tyco Thermal Controls is required since the wattage output depends on the total circuit length and the voltage applied.

Mineral insulated (MI) heating technology

PetroTrace^TM mineral insulated heating cables are used in downhole applications where high temperature maintain and/or high temperature exposures exist, or high power output is required. MI heating cable is rugged and economical and used in many emanding applications. Designs must be done on a case-by-case basis because the total resistance must be matched to the transformer characteristics.

Skin effect tracing systems technology

Tyco Thermal Controls' Skin-effect Tracing System (STS), heat is generated on the inner surface of a ferromagnetic heat tube. An electrically insulated, temperature-resistant conductor is installed inside the heat tube and connected to the tube at the far end. The tube and conductor are connected to an AC voltage source in a series connection. This method of heating is called skin-effect heating because the return path of the circuit current is pulled to the inner surface (approximately 1 mm) of the heat tube by both the skin effect and the proximity effect between the heat tube and the conductor. The outside surface of the heat tube is at ground potential, while the inner surface of the tube carries full current. The STS circuit impedance is mainly resistive, generating heat in the heat tube wall and, to a lesser extent, in the insulated conductor. The allowable circuit length is determined by the power output, heat tube size, conductor size, and the carrier pipe temperature.