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Viscosity Control

Viscosity control with drum heatingProTherm has viscosity control solutions for the purposes of heating heavy liquids, such as oil, plastics, wax, syrups and other molten material. This process is performed to reduce viscosity, and in turn increase the mobility of the molten material. Pumping heavy fluids requires more power when the material is cold and viscous. Heating to reduce the viscosity makes it much easier to handle. However, overheating viscous material can degrade the quality of the product, so care must be taken not to scorch it during viscosity reduction.

With the use of indirect heating, the material is heated via a heating medium; it is never in direct contact with the tube wall, which ensures it does not become overheated. Because heating is required adjacent the well, skid systems can be employed which allow for applications in remote locations. These systems are designed to tightly control temperature, minimizing oil degradation and bring new levels of efficiency to this critical application.

Direct heating is also a common approach, and if managed properly can also be a good solution.  Low watt-density electric heating elements are excellent ways to mitigate unintended degradation.

ProTherm offers several products to control viscosity and move molten material during processing.

  • Heated hoses to move and maintain the temperature of molten material.
  • Cloth heating jackets to maintain heat.
  • Drum heaters & tote heaters for heating material to be used.
  • Heating tape & heat trace cable to heat pipies and lines.
  • Control panels to monitor and control temperatures.
  • Immersion heaters
  • Screw plug heaters
  • Flange heaters
  • Circulation heaters

Contact us for more information.

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