Process plant winterization strategies

As winter approaches, processing plants and engineering firms begin to turn their thoughts toward preparing for the extreme weather conditions they will soon be facing. Typically, when individuals working in the processing industries think of “weatherizing” their plants, they conjure up images of “heat tracing.” However, proper winterizing efforts require a broader, more thoughtful approach. Of the many options available, the use of electric process heaters, although not exceptionally well known or understood, is often the most practical and effective approach to winterizing. Although heat trace and process heating are both used to achieve the same goal (protect equipment and processes from extreme temperatures), they are not comparable approaches.