1 reply to this topic

[SAprocessGD]

Hello,

I'm wondering what the typical industry standards of heat flux densities (W/sq in element loading) for an electric heater are.

I'm seeking densities for fluid medium of:

a.) produced water (chloride content of 17,000ppm) with dissolved oil.
b.) slop oil (SG would range from 0.73 to 0.76)

Regards,

SAprocessGD

Edited by SAprocessGD, 23 March 2012 - 07:49 PM.

[Art Montemayor]

SaprocessGD:

To my knowledge, there are no heat flux “standards” for electric heating elements. I’ve always used the Chromalox heater Catalog to carry out the basic design of an electric heater and obtained good results when using their products.

I would expect that the allowable heat flux depends primarily on the manufacturer’s element and how it is built. In other words, this is a value obtained empirically through laboratory experimentation. I would also expect the manufacturer to furnish that specific information for his heaters.

The heat flux (not “density”) should not be related to the fluid or its conditions. It is obtained based on a non-fouling operation – i.e., a clean fluid. It is up to you to take into consideration the effect of fouling on the heating elements. I do not believe a manufacturer will risk or design a unit that undergoes an undefined rate, degree, or quality of fouling on the element’s surface. I would not employ an electric heating element on a dirty or fouling fluid unless I had to and even then, I would only operate it for a determined time and subject it to periodic inspections. Otherwise, you are facing an eventual “burn-out” of the heating elements. That is an inherent trade off when using an electric heating element.