In the civilian field, many tanks need to maintain a certain temperature to ensure the normal state of their internal substances and the smooth progress of the process. Traditional insulation methods often have problems such as low efficiency, high energy consumption and high maintenance costs. As a new type of thermal insulation product, heat tracing has been widely used in civilian tanks with its unique heating principle and advantages.
The heat trace is composed of heating wire, insulation, sheath and other parts. The working principle of heat tracing is to transfer the heat generated by the heating wire to the surface of the sheath through the insulation layer, and then transfer the heat to the substance inside the tank through the contact between the sheath and the surface of the tank, so as to achieve the purpose of heat preservation. 
According to different needs and application scenarios, heat tracing can be divided into self-limiting temperature tracing, constant power heat tracing, and mineral insulated heat tracing. Heat tracing is widely used in the insulation of civil tanks, especially in winter or low temperature environment, which can effectively prevent the solidification or crystallization of substances inside the tank and ensure its normal state and smooth process. The application of heat tracing can improve the insulation efficiency and quality of the tank, reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, and also extend the service life of the tank.
Heat tracing has a wide range of applications in civilian tanks, and some common application scenarios are listed below:
1.Water storage tank: In winter or low temperature environment, the water in the water storage tank is easy to freeze, affecting the normal water supply. The use of heat tracing can effectively prevent water from freezing and ensure the normal water use of residents.
2.Liquefied gas tank: Liquefied gas is easy to condense at low temperatures, affecting its normal use. The use of heat tracing can ensure the stability of pressure and temperature in the liquefied gas tank, ensuring the safe use of residents.
3.Fire water tank: The water in the fire water tank is easy to freeze in winter or low temperature environment, which affects the normal operation of fire fighting facilities. The use of heat tracing can ensure that the water in the fire water tank is kept within the appropriate temperature range, ensuring the reliability of fire fighting facilities.
4.Solar water heaters: Solar water heaters are prone to frost in winter or low temperature environments, affecting their normal operation. The use of heat tracing can prevent frost formation in the solar water heater and improve its thermal efficiency.
Precautions for Installation and Use of Heat Tracing:
1.Select the appropriate type and specification of the heat tracing: according to the material, diameter, length, ambient temperature and other factors of the civil tank, select the appropriate type and specification of the heating cable. The self-limiting temperature tracing is suitable for occasions with low temperature requirements and short pipeline lengths, the constant power heat tracing is suitable for occasions with high temperature requirements and long pipeline lengths, and the mineral insulated heat tracing is suitable for tank insulation in special environments.
2.Correct installation of heat tracing: The installation of heat tracing should comply with the relevant standards and specifications of the country and industry, and the construction should generally be carried out by professional installers. During installation, attention should be paid to the close contact between the heat trace and the surface of the tank to avoid voids or bubbles, which will affect the heating effect. The power supply of the heat trace should be controlled by a special heat trace controller, and the appropriate heating temperature and working time should be set.
3.Regular inspection and maintenance of the heat tracing: During the use of the heat tracing, the appearance and electrical performance of the heat trace should be checked regularly, and if any faults such as damage, short circuit, and open circuit are found, they should be repaired or replaced in time. At the same time, attention should be paid to keeping the surface of the tank clean and dry, and avoiding stagnant water or debris covering the heat tracing, which will affect the heating effect.
As a high-efficiency, energy-saving and safe insulation product, heat tracing has been widely used in civilian tanks. It can effectively prevent the solidification or crystallization of the substances inside the tank, and ensure its normal state and the smooth progress of the process. When installing and using heat tracing, attention should be paid to selecting appropriate types and specifications, and following relevant standards and specifications to ensure the normal operation and safety of heat tracing.