The indirect fired heater, commonly known as a line heater, is a device used to heat liquids or gas in a pipeline or a well-stream. It is typically used in gas transmission lines or gas flowlines found near a wellhead. Let us now take an in-depth look at how the indirect line heater works.
How Does a Line Heater Work?
The line heater is used to maintain the temperature of the gas in a flow line above its hydrate temperature (freezing temperature). Line heaters are also used to heat oil or water in transmission lines. It is often utilized to offset the Joule-Thomson effect which states that the temperature of the oil or gas flowing through the pipe is reduced when the pressure in the pipeline decreases rapidly. Thus, an oil and gas heater can effectively offset the effect of a sudden drop in temperature that occurs when the fluid or gas flows through the pressure-reducing choke.
It typically consists of three elements, the liquid bath, fire tube, and process coil. The process coil, through which the fluids or gas flow, is immersed in the upper portion of the liquid bath. The fire tube is immersed in the lower part of the liquid bath, below the process coil. Natural gas is burned in the fire tube and heats the firetube. This heat energy is directly transferred to the liquid bath and then indirectly to the process coil, and eventually to the process fluid or gas.
Advantages of Indirect Fired Heaters
- They are cost-effective.
- They require minimal maintenance.
- They are environmentally friendly.
- The installation process is simple which ensures a quick start.
- They can be customized according to individual requirements.
- They can operate in tightly sealed areas.
Contact Us for Line Heater Sizing, Design, Installation, Maintenance & Repairs
At Aspire Energy Resources Inc., we provide high-quality fabrication and design services. With over 25 years of experience serving the energy industry, we know the best possible solutions when it comes to installing indirect fired heaters. You can trust our reliable products to prevent hydrates from forming in pipelines, thus eliminating expensive downtime.
If you are looking for line heaters for sale, reach to out our experts by calling 403-314-5422 or 1-800-993-9958. You could also fill out our online form if you have any queries.
