Electric Blanket for a flow rig

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    Electric Flow
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around maintaining a constant temperature of approximately 30°C for a flow rig made of acrylic. Participants explore various methods and materials to achieve this temperature control, focusing on insulation and heating solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Experimental/applied, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Jeff seeks advice on how to maintain a constant temperature for his flow rig, which is 1m long and made of acrylic.
  • One participant suggests using electric heat trace cable along with a controller to maintain the desired temperature, emphasizing the need to calculate the energy input required.
  • Jeff expresses difficulty in maintaining the temperature without insulation when using heat trace cable.
  • Another participant recommends fiberglass or mineral wool as potential insulation materials, and mentions calcium silicate for added structural strength.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the best insulation method, and there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of heat trace cable without insulation.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of detailed calculations regarding energy requirements and specific insulation properties, which may affect the proposed solutions.

zymil
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Hi all,


I'm designing a flow rig for my project. I'm running out of ideas on how to keep the rig at constant temperature of about 30C. The rig is made of acrylic, 10mm diameter, and the total length is about 1m.
Any kind of input is appreciated.

Regards,
Jeff
 
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Welcome to PF.

You will need to figure out how much energy input is required to keep it at 30 C.

Given the length of 1m, your simpliest solution is likely electric heat trace cable. You can get a simple controller to maintain your 30C setpoint. Then insulate around the heat trace cable and put your temperature instrument that feeds the controller at a location you consider to be the average temperature.
 
Hi edge, thank you for your reply. I've been trying to use heat trace cable but it is hard to maintain the temperature at 30C without any insulation.
What sort of insulation do you think i use?
 
zymil said:
Hi edge, thank you for your reply. I've been trying to use heat trace cable but it is hard to maintain the temperature at 30C without any insulation.
What sort of insulation do you think i use?
I would recommend fiberglas or mineral wool. If you need something with some structural strength you can use calcium silicate.
 

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