[labnetwork] Heat tape recommendation?

Thu Nov 17 21:25:06 EST 2022

We used to use a system provide by Accurate Gas Controls to control the
cylinder temperature and to heat trace the tubing. I believe they are
located near Tampa, FLA.

I have also had good experience with Watlow heat tracing and with Briskheat.
Both provide a more industrial rated heat trace/tape with controls.
Briskheat also has systems rated for Class I, Div 1 service.

John Boyle

John Boyle Consulting, LLC

4848 Canterbury Drive

Emmaus, PA 18049

484-432-7596 Cell

610-965-3208 Office

From: labnetwork [mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of
Paolini, Steven
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2022 2:19 PM
To: Martin, Michael; labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: Re: [labnetwork] Heat tape recommendation?

Martin..,

  Don't do it!!!!  The best way to keep gases like BCL3 from liquifying is
to run them at sub-atmospheric pressures (05"HG).  I have been doing this
for decades with excellent results.

It is simple physics; The lower the pressure, the lower the boiling point.
You can achieve this with your current gas regulator but a sub atmospheric
regulator is smoother and more precise. I am assuming that you are running
this gas into a vacuum system, if so, the pressure delta will allow it to
flow to a certain level. If you cannot achieve your maximum flow, increase
the pressure slightly.

Please contact me directly with any questions.

  Steve (Equipment Dood)

Steve Paolini

Principal Equipment Engineer

Harvard University Center for Nanoscale Systems

11 Oxford St.

Cambridge, MA 02138

617- 496- 9816

spaolini at cns.fas.harvard.edu

www.cns.fas.harvard.edu

From: labnetwork <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> On Behalf Of Martin,
Michael
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2022 10:32 AM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: [labnetwork] Heat tape recommendation?

Hello, 

   We are about to re-wrap our BCl3 line with heat tape and insulation and
are in need of some advice.   In the past we have used the rather expensive
silicone constant wattage heaters with adjustable power control
https://www.mcmaster.com/heat-tape/constant-wattage-heaters-with-adjustable-
temperature-control-for-pipes-and-tubes/
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.mcmaster.com_heat-
2Dtape_constant-2Dwattage-2Dheaters-2Dwith-2Dadjustable-2Dtemperature-2Dcont
rol-2Dfor-2Dpipes-2Dand-2Dtubes_&d=DwMFAw&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=-H4Z_je
DfTYjnKPXor15vLwzBllmg8gFrb9m_k9OGks&m=brdRaC3ro_xDwOpS5O-x16I3PMSl21G6TIawp
W_Arwis_HHzlqHR-ZP_oaCl__DL&s=IuNsIc0AX2kGzXyrmjoq2CjRSlkdUJq0BL08FWwL91Q&e=
>  .  The problem we have is that these do not seem to last very long before
burning out, and as I mentioned are quite expensive. Does anyone have a
better solution?  Longer lasting and cheaper? I should mention that we need
only to keep the tubing at maybe 30C to prevent condensation of the BCl3
vapor.  

<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.mcmaster.com_heat-
2Dtape_constant-2Dwattage-2Dheaters-2Dwith-2Dadjustable-2Dtemperature-2Dcont
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> Image removed by sender.

<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.mcmaster.com_heat-
2Dtape_constant-2Dwattage-2Dheaters-2Dwith-2Dadjustable-2Dtemperature-2Dcont
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DfTYjnKPXor15vLwzBllmg8gFrb9m_k9OGks&m=brdRaC3ro_xDwOpS5O-x16I3PMSl21G6TIawp
W_Arwis_HHzlqHR-ZP_oaCl__DL&s=IuNsIc0AX2kGzXyrmjoq2CjRSlkdUJq0BL08FWwL91Q&e=
> McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000
products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next
day.

www.mcmaster.com

   I was looking at self-regulating heat tapes used to prevent pipes from
freezing (an interesting technology in its own right) but am not sure they
operate above room temperature given their intended application.
https://www.thecarycompany.com/temperature-control/heating-cables/self-regul
ating-cables?temp_voltage=157510
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.thecarycompany.com
_temperature-2Dcontrol_heating-2Dcables_self-2Dregulating-2Dcables-3Ftemp-5F
voltage-3D157510&d=DwMFAw&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=-H4Z_jeDfTYjnKPXor15vLw
zBllmg8gFrb9m_k9OGks&m=brdRaC3ro_xDwOpS5O-x16I3PMSl21G6TIawpW_Arwis_HHzlqHR-
ZP_oaCl__DL&s=IIHCxI8mPQV9c4Rc8pPmpjqNDeZa92b53Ne1WqbSyDI&e=>  The nice
thing about these is that they evidently last for years. 

<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.thecarycompany.com
_temperature-2Dcontrol_heating-2Dcables_self-2Dregulating-2Dcables-3Ftemp-5F
voltage-3D157510&d=DwMFAw&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=-H4Z_jeDfTYjnKPXor15vLw
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by sender.

<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.thecarycompany.com
_temperature-2Dcontrol_heating-2Dcables_self-2Dregulating-2Dcables-3Ftemp-5F
voltage-3D157510&d=DwMFAw&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=-H4Z_jeDfTYjnKPXor15vLw
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ZP_oaCl__DL&s=IIHCxI8mPQV9c4Rc8pPmpjqNDeZa92b53Ne1WqbSyDI&e=>
Self-Regulating Heating Cables

Automatically Adjust Your Heat Output With Self-Regulating Cables! Keep your
pipes from freezing with our Self-Regulating Heating Cables. The cables
automatically adjust heat output based on the surface temperature and can
also be great for low-temperature process maintenance. The flexibility of
the cables can help you get even the most hard to heat applications. Options
thermoplastic and fluropolymer jackets as well as tinned copper braid
outside finishes. Whether you need low, medium, or high temperature cables,
shop and compare all of our selection to find the best fit for you!

www.thecarycompany.com

Also, do you have any recommendations for insulating tubing in a cleanroom
environment? 

Regards, 

   Michael 

Senior Process Engineer 

Micro/Nano Technology Center

University of Louisville

(502) 552-1945

Web page: https://louisville.edu/micronano
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__louisville.edu_microna
nohttps-3A__www.instagram.com_micronanolouisville_&d=DwMFAw&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZ
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Rvlkli0W63U8Fww&e=> 

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