Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Heaters

Intermediate bulk containers (also known as IBC tote, IBC tank, IBC, or pallet tank) are stackable, reusable, flexible containers with an integrated pallet base. These multi-use industrial-grade containers are designed to handle, transport, and store liquids, semi-solids, pastes, or solids. They are normally available in 250, 275, 330, 350, 450 and 550 gallon sizes. IBC totes are commonly used in food and beverage production, labs, cosmetics manufacturing, petrochemical/chemical production, oil & gas production, and in many areas of general manufacturing. 

Often, the contents of IBC totes need to be heated to prevent freezing or optimize viscosity for pumping or pouring. IBC tote heaters (or just tote heaters) refer to a certain style of flexible and immersion heaters used to heat the contents of intermediate bulk containers.  Most applications fall in to these areas: viscosity control, freeze protection, thermal mixing, temperature maintenance, and biofuel / biodiesel heating. Failure in keeping the products inside the IBC could result in the contents being ruined, production delays, or inability to dispense at all, which in turn increases production costs or causes damage. Damaged  equipment, replacing ruined materials, or waiting for usable product are expensive prices  to pay for improper heating.

Flexible IBC Tote Heaters

This category refers to flexible rubber blanket heaters that sit under, or is fitted around, the IBC tote. These heaters are designed with power densities (watt densities) that will not harm the tote itself, or the material it contains. Flexible tote heaters usually include backside insulation for better thermal and energy efficiency. Other design criteria include thermostats, water resistance for indoor/outdoor use or wash-down environments; 360° grounded heating element for safety; UL certification; 120 or 240 volt plug set.

Immersion IBC Tote Heaters

Immersion heaters are submersible heaters that use direct heat transfer to allow liquid mediums to quickly reach desired temperatures. They are commonly used with all types of tanks and processing equipment and are a cost effective, rapid heating method in almost any industrial or manufacturing environment. Immersion tote heaters design criteria include 120 or 240 VAC operation; a wide variety of flange/screw connection sizes; temperature indicators/displays; temperature controllers/thermostats; hi/low alarms; and power cords /connections types.

For more information about about IBC tote heaters, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

Water Quality Instrumentation from HF scientific

 

Online Residual Oxidant and Chlorine Monitors | Online UV Analyzers | Reagents and Dispensers | Photometers | Test Strips | Turbidity and Standards

HF scientific produces the best quality instrumentation, test kits and chemical reagents used in a range of applications for monitoring water quality. Their primary markets are industrial and municipal water treatment systems, but their products are used in applications as varied as industrial process control systems and marine ballast water systems to mitigate adverse effects on the ecosystem of invasive species.

For more information on HF scientific products in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin call Alliance Technical Sales at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

Heat Tracing Cable for Maintaining Critical Petrochemical Viscosity

Petrochemicals are petroleum-derived chemical materials. Many of these chemicals come from resources like coal , natural gas, corn or even sugar cane. The two most popular petrochemical groups are olefins and aromatics, the building blocks used to generate a wide variety of daily materials such as solvents, detergents, adhesives, plastics, resins, fibers, elastomers, lubricants and gels. Most chemicals and gasses move through pipelines and are stored in tanks in petrochemical plants. Petroleum-based chemicals often thicken and flow poorly at lower temperatures. If petrochemicals are not maintained at the correct temperature, viscosity problems cause the liquids to flow inefficiently and can starve or clog production lines.

To maintain the high temperatures needed for petrochemical output, install constant-wattage heating cable along piping. Constant wattage heating cable is a versatile heating cable mounted on the outside of pipes and valves (heat tracing) and capable of sustaining temperatures up to 260 ° C (500 ° F). Constant wattage heating cable is also used to heat long runs of piping systems up to several hundred feet. Heating cables are ideal for outdoor use and are FM-approved for hazardous locations. Insulation is advised to improve heat and energy efficiency and a temperature controller is needed to monitor constant wattage heating cable. On almost all pipe heating applications, constant-wattage heating cable may be used. Common uses  include freeze protection, viscosity reduction, condensation prevention, and more.

Self-regulating heating cable is another way to maintain lower temperature systems. This form of heating cable automatically changes its heat output depending on ambient conditions and never exceeds a fixed temperature, normally 149 ° F (65 ° C). Low temperature heating cable will reach 248 ° F (120 ° C). Typical uses for self-regulating heating cable are low-temperature repair and freezing applications.

For more information on any process heating requirement, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

The Jogler LLT-1000 LIDAR Level Transmitter: Features and Operation

The Jogler LLT-1000 LIDAR Level Transmitter is a non-contact, laser based instrument that measures the level of dry solids and opaque liquids in silos, tanks, hoppers, and other vessels. 4-20mA and relay outputs give the LLT-1000 the flexibility to be used in various control schemes.

With long measuring range, high accuracy and a narrow beam, the LLT-1000 can be used in many different applications to measure to different types of surface. The 4 to 20 mA and relay interfaces provide linear and switch point controls while the onboard USB interface provides access to comprehensive, user-friendly configuration settings. With an optional, visible aiming laser and numerous mounting flanges, the LLT-1000 is an easy to use, state of the art, level and position sensing solution.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales, Inc. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

Happy Independence Day 2020 from Alliance Technical Sales!

New 2020 Mettler Toledo Process Analytics Catalog

Mettler Toledo Process Analytics, which includes the well-known Thornton and Ingold brands, has published their 2020 product catalog.

Ingold has a long track record of innovative high-quality solutions for demanding process analytics applications. Their products include systems for the measurement parameters of pH/ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), dissolved CO2, conductivity and turbidity.

Thornton is the market leader in critical ultrapure and pure water analytics, where accuracy and reliability are essential. Their products include analytical instruments and sensors for the measurement of resistivity, conductivity, TOC, bioburden, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), sodium, silica and ozone.

For more information, and to download the 2020 MT Process Analytics catalog, visit this Alliance Technical Sales webpage.

Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.
630-321-9646
https://alliancets.com

Special Design Magnetic Level Gauge Overcomes Slug Catcher Level Challenges

In normal pipeline applications where gas and liquid moves together, gravity pushes the liquid component to the bottom of the pipe and the gas component flows above. In some situations however, the gas and liquid may combine and form a plug. In the pipeline industry these plugs are referred to as "slugs". Slugs can cause problems at the pipeline outlet as they can easily overload a plant's ability to handle the liquid or gas flow safely or efficiently.

In order to avoid problems with slugs, the use of a "slug catcher" is deployed. Located between the process equipment and the pipeline outlet, slug catchers are vessels with enough holding capacity to hold a slug as they travel down the pipeline. The additional holding capacity allows for the gradual draining of liquids from the system to avoid system overload.

MONITORING SLUG CATCHER LEVEL

The biggest problem for slug catcher applications is solids accumulation. The build-up occurs naturally during normal operations. Solids will continue to accumulate until they are physically removed.

Solids accumulate in the piping around the vessel/drum. This can cause operational failure as the piping can get congested. Solids build-up on sight glasses is very dangerous because the sight glass is a critical component to the operation of a slug catcher.
The most common liquids measured are hydrocarbons and water. Once the sight glass accumulates solids or discoloration on the viewing window, the liquids may not be visible at all.

MAGNETIC LEVEL GAUGE

To overcome all of the challenges that slug catcher applications pose for safe and reliable level monitoring, Jogler engineers created the following design that has been implemented and proven over many years of operation:

INDIRECT LEVEL MEASUREMENT 
Unlike a sight glass, a magnetic level gauge does not include direct sight of the liquid. Instead, the level is magnetically conveyed via the interaction of flags in the external scale assembly and magnets in the float. This makes it impossible for the glass to become clogged or dirty. Therefore, a magnetic level gauge offers constant, unimpeded liquid level viewing that will not deteriorate with any solids accumulation.

GUIDE RODS
To prevent solids from interfering with proper operation of the float, the chamber is made from a 3” pipe with a 2” or 2.5” float and guide rods (other configurations available). This allows space for the solids to accumulate without interfering with the float traveling.

COATING
To help avoid buildup, the float and internal chamber can be coated with various products, such as Teflon S, to prevent fouling buildup on the float. If buildup can occur on the float, the weight of the float will increase give false low level readings.

CUSTOM FLOATS
An important part of the function of a magnetic level gauge is the design of the internal float. Floats can be engineered to handle various liquids, including extremely light hydro-carbons. To compensate for potential solids build-up, extra buoyancy can be included in the design of a float to ensure it can power through the solids without hanging up.

MAGNETIC PARTICLE TRAPS
In some slug catcher applications, iron sulfides and other ferromagnetic particles may be present. These magnetic particles present a risk to the long-term operation of the float, accumulating on the float’s magnets. This can increase the weight of the float causing false low level readings and can even build up to the point where the float sinks or gets stuck. To eliminate these risks, a magnetic particle trap can be installed on one or more of the process connections. The magnetic particle trap consists of high strength super-magnets that are placed in the flow path to the magnetic level gauge. These magnets collect any magnetic particles that can make it to the chamber to protect against build-up on the float. The magnetic particle trap is designed  easily be removed from the process connections so it can be periodically cleaned.

HEAT TRACING / INSULATION
In applications where process liquid in the slug catcher can be viscous, factory-installed heat tracing and insulation can be used to decrease the liquid viscosity. This will eliminate situations where the float will be sluggish to react to changing liquid levels or even freeze up entirely. Self-regulating electric heat trace cable provides a reliable heat tracing solution that is customizable to available power connections (typically 120VAC or 240VAC), process temperature, and minimum ambient temperature.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call 630-321-9646 or visit https://alliancets.com.