Heat Tracing - Time to Freeze

Protection against freezing of the fluid in a pipe can be obtained by using heat tracing cables.

Heat Tracing

Plastic pipes can be used with most standard heat tracing solutions on the market. It is to be recommended however that engineers consult GF or clearly state to the that tracing manufacturer that the carrier pipe is plastic.

For plastics the heat tracing systems using a self-regulating supply voltage are to be recommended.

Time to freeze

When a pipe system containing a fluid is open to temperatures below the freezing point of the fluid there is a danger of the fluid freezing and hence potentially causing physical damage to the pipe
The GF COOLING Tool-Box offers an option to calculate the time which will be required for the fluid to completely freeze.

For larger dimensions the tie to freeze can often be >100 hours, however care should be taken that smaller dimension freeze quicker. Please refer to GF COOLING Tool-Box for COOL-FIT 2.0 and 4.0.

See downloads for technical installation details.

How Self-Regulating Heating Cables Work

Heat is generated as electric current passes through the conductive polymer core between the cable’s conductors. As the ambient temperature drops, the number of electrical paths through the core increases and more heat is produced. Conversely, as the temperature rises, the core has fewer electrical paths and less heat is produced.

External Pipe or Internal Pipe Application

Classically heat tracing cables are installed on the outside of the carrier or pressure bearing pipe. This is also a very common methodology for standard plastic pipes, please noting, that use of self-regulating cables is highly recommended.
For pre-insulated pipes 2 options exist. Either the cable can be placed on the pipe before the insulation process. This planning and generation of bespoke piping, as this is not an off the shelf product. Or the the cable can be placed into the internal bore of the pipe. This requires entry and exit points.
For this internal bore solution, GF recommends the self-regulating cable R- RTL-A from nVent (RayChem).

For recommendations to layout and specification of cable please consult your local GF expert.

Cooling

GF's COOLING Toolbox is an offline tool designed to support engineering calculations. For example, pipe dimensioning, energy loss, expansion/contraction and much more.

Urecon

GF Urecon (Canada) offers an electrical heat tracing system (to prevent freezing) in combination with pre-insulated pipes.