Heat Tracing Cables for LNG Tanks | Foundation Freeze Prevention In Industrial & Hazardous Areas

Published 12 Jan 2021

Foundation Freeze Prevention For LNG Tanks

Foundation Freeze Prevention For LNG Tanks

Heat Tracing Cables By Eltherm

Frost Protection For Industrial & Hazardous Areas Available From Stock At T&D


In the first of this blog series by Eltherm they will discuss the best electrical trace heating system that will ensure temperature maintenance and freeze prevention on LNG tanks. Also known as liquefied natural gas storage tanks as they are a specialised storage tank for Liquefied Natural Gas.

The LNG tanks comprise of double containers, where the inner contains LNG and the outer container contains insulation materials. In LNG storage the pressure and temperature within the tank will continue to rise unless regulated this is where an electrical trace heating system for hazardous areas is able to maintain the exact temperature during the entire gas liquefaction process.

To achieve liquification, the gas must be cooled down to -160 °C. LNG occupies only 1/600th of the volume of natural gas. So liquifying is an economic option for storage and transport. Linde was assigned by the Norwegian Skangass AS to build a LNG plant at Stavanger in Norway, including a LNG storage tank with a diameter of approximately 50 m.

Because of the -160 °C inside the storage tank, frost can occur around and under the tank and in the foundation of the plant, causing frost heave cracking. This can pose a serious risk to safe operation. A trace heating system prevents this by keeping the structure‘s at 5 °C. Reliability is the key requirement, so Eltherm engineers developed a redundant system with was chosen.


Eltherm - Heat Tracing Solutions

Eltherm – Heat Tracing Solutions

Heat Tracing Cables for LNG Tanks

  • Exact temperature maintenance during the entire gas liquefaction process
  • Reliable function thanks to redundant design
  • Simple, safe operation with power and control system
  • Trace heating systems for hazardous areas covered by ATEX approval
  • Repair and easy maintenance of PTFE insulated trace heaters
  • Turnkey service including complete engineering, design, installation and commissioning
  • Economical, energy efficient heating solution

Eltherm Trace Heating Solutions

  • Fluoropolymer-insulated trace heaters ELKM-AG-N
  • Mineral-insulated trace heaters ELK-MI-VA
  • Self-regulating trace heaters ELSR-N
  • Self-regulating high temperature trace heaters ELSR-H / ELSR-SH
  • Junction box Ex-It-R approved for hazardous areas

50 heating circuits in normal operations and 40 circuits in essential generator mode allow one system to be repaired in the case of unexpected failure, while the other maintains normal function. In addition to the foundation heating a ring-heater beneath the ring wall was installed to prevent freezing. The scope of supply included engineering and design, installation and commissioning as well as power and control systems.


LNG Tank Storage

The pipeline network of the LNG plant with all drums and pumps is heated to +10° C for freeze protection. Also, process temperatures between 15 °C and 140 °C are maintained to ensure that the gas liquefaction process runs smoothly and safely.

Linde AG is a global leader in natural gas liquefaction plants and consulted Eltherm engineering to develop a custom build solution for the Stavanger LNG plant in Norway.

Frost protection on the foundation slab required 16 heating circuits, 12 in the foundation and 4 under the ring wall. To take account of the highly corrosive ambient conditions, the ELKM-AG-N trace heater with its robust fluoropolymer insulation was employed.

It is chemically resistant even at high temperatures and is certified for hazardous areas (Ex area). Additionally to the heating system, Eltherm provided the complete control room for power and control. Strong emphasis is placed on energy efficiency and running cost reduction. An under-run alarm with 2 °C and an excess alarm at 15 °C ensures that the liquefaction process is never disturbed.


Thorne & Derrick specialise in providing specialist heating for industrial and hazardous areas including Eltherm’s heat tracing cables and heated hoses.

Thorne & Derrick specialise in providing specialist heating for industrial and hazardous areas including Eltherm’s heat tracing cables and heated hoses.

ELTHERM INDUSTRIAL & HAZARDOUS AREA HEATING

Eltherm heating products provide freeze protection, temperature maintenance and temperature control ranges of up to 1000°C and are used in many industries and applications from oil and gas to utilities and power generation. Eltherm products are manufactured to the highest hazardous area specifications including ATEX and IECEx for heating pipes, hoses, drums, vessels and IBC’s.

Eltherm Heat Tracing

Eltherm self regulating heat trace cable provides frost protection and maintains product viscosity in pipes, tanks, drums and vessels


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Electrical Heating Specialists

Thorne & Derrick International, based in the UK, can specify and supply from stock an extensive range of Electrical Heating Equipment for industrial and process heating applications – this includes temperature maintenance and frost protection (Winterisation) products for pipework, valves, IBC’s, drums, hoses, tanks and vessels. We produce custom silicone heaters for rapid and high temperature heat-up of complex shapes and surfaces – from concept, design to the delivery of standard or bespoke heaters on the shortest lead times. From the largest UK heat tracing cable stocks we deliver Electric Trace Heating Systems for pipework frost protection, ramp heating, roof/gutter snow melting and de-icing – enquire about our in-house design service.

Further Reading : Winterisation | Electrical Heating Solutions to Overcome Cold Climate Challenges


EXPERTS IN WINTERISATION SOLUTIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL & HAZARDOUS AREA ENVIRONMENTS

Heat Tracing I Frost Protection

Thorne & Derrick hold the largest UK stocks of frost protection & winterisation equipment to help keep your plant and personnel operational during the winter months.

Thorne & Derrick understand that prolonged periods of low ambient temperatures can bring operations to a standstill costing thousands of pounds in lost downtime.

Experts in heating solutions for use in industrial & explosive atmospheres, Thorne & Derrick have the knowledge & expertise to help clients prevent unnecessary down time this winter.

We can provide overnight delivery of Trace Heating Cables at the most competitive prices to guarantee frost protection of your pipelines and mechanical services.| Ask About Our Heat Trace Design Service.

💡 Contact us today and our skilled and friendly team can provide technical support as well as reliable, fit for purpose and compliant solutions to suit your exact requirements.

Trace Heating | Process Heating | Heating Jackets | Drum & IBC Heaters | Heated Hoses |Silicone Heating Mats

➡See our Winterisation blog TOP PICKS, including our most read articles about Trace Heating and the requirement for electrical heating products and systems to combat and mitigate Winter weather effects.

Winter heating 2021

Competitive Prices | Extensive Stocks | Technical Support | Express Delivery