Steam tracing
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In the Northeast region, SNCR denitration is used, with urea as the reducing agent; steam heating is required for this process. I have no prior experience in this area, and my main concern is the requirement specified in petroleum standards, which states that the cumulative height of steam at 0.1 Mpa must not exceed 1 meter. In my case, I am using air at 0.4 Mpa, and the pipe rack is 6 meters high. So can I use steam at 0.4 Mpa? The steam tracing is also required for the demister flushing water pipeline, but the highest point of this pipeline is 18 meters high. I would like to ask the experts: can steam tracing be used, or does it need to be replaced with electric tracing? Are there any materials or websites that can be used as references?
It refers to the slope of the heat tracing pipe; if the slope is too steep, the condensate from the heat tracing will flow back, and water hammer may even occur. When using steam, follow the principle of steam entering from above and exiting from below; install traps and drain valves at lower positions. As for upper pipe racks, etc., simply connect them to the steam pipes – as long as proper insulation is provided, there should be no problems.
The heat tracing main is installed at a high position; steam flows from top to bottom, and a trap or similar device is placed at the lowest point
It is recommended to consult the SH/T 3040-2012 Standard for the Design of Pipes Accompanying Petrochemical Pipelines and Jacketed Pipes; this standard can be downloaded from various sources.
You might be mistaken; 0.1 MPa is not equivalent to 1 meter of water column. It’s completely fine to use steam tracing for insulation for the heights and pipe lengths you mentioned. Install steam traps in appropriate locations as needed; it is necessary to drain the condensate water.
Recommended option: Plan 1 – 1.0 Mpa steam, with high temperature and high pressure； Option 2: Use electric heating
The Supervisor must be located above the highest point; careful consideration should be given to the location and type of drain valves on the heat-traced pipes, to prevent blockages later on.