Select electric heat tracing band for cold storage

During the operation of cold storage, the condensate water generated by the evaporator needs to be drained through the drainage pipe. However, in a low-temperature environment below -10℃, water accumulation in the pipe is prone to freeze, leading to poor drainage, increased humidity inside the storage, and subsequently causing issues such as evaporator frosting and reduced refrigeration efficiency. Traditional insulation measures have limited effectiveness, and dedicated electric heat tracing belts for cold storage have become an efficient solution to address the freezing problem.

When tracing the drainage pipes in cold storage, it is essential to balance low-temperature adaptability and energy efficiency. The preferred choice is a low-temperature self-regulating electric tracing band. This band can operate normally at -40℃ and automatically adjusts its power based on the pipe temperature. It shuts down automatically when the temperature rises to 5℃, thus preventing energy waste. This perfectly aligns with the core requirements of cold storage, which are "low-temperature freeze protection and on-demand tracing".

Scientific model selection is the foundation of anti-freezing measures. Based on the diameter of the drainage pipe and the temperature of the cold storage, a tracing band with a power of 15-20W/m is recommended for drainage pipes with a diameter of less than Φ50mm. For low-temperature cold storage below -20℃, it is necessary to upgrade to a low-temperature-resistant tracing band with a power of 25W/m. The connection between the drainage pipe and the sewage pipe is prone to ice accumulation, so it is recommended to use a flatter tracing band with better flexibility to closely fit the pipe interface and eliminate insulation dead zones.

The installation details determine the anti-freezing effect. The heat tracing belt is laid parallel along the bottom of the drainage pipe, and is fixed at every 15cm with low-temperature resistant waterproof tape to avoid displacement due to pipe vibration. At the corners of the drainage pipe, valves, and U-shaped traps, the heat tracing belt is densely wrapped to ensure sufficient heat at these areas prone to water accumulation. The outside of the heat tracing belt is wrapped with a 30mm-thick closed-cell polyurethane insulation layer, and the outer layer is covered with aluminum foil reflective film to reduce heat loss.

Safety protection is tailored to the characteristics of cold storage. The wiring junction uses an IP68 waterproof and explosion-proof junction box, with glue sealing to prevent condensed water infiltration caused by the cold bridge effect. The heat tracing circuit is equipped with a leakage protection device and a temperature controller, set to start at 5°C and stop at 8°C, achieving precise temperature control. A temperature sensor is installed at the end of the drainage pipe to monitor the anti-freezing effect in real time and trigger an alarm in case of abnormalities.

Daily operation and maintenance require special attention. Regular inspections should be conducted to check whether the sheath of the heat tracing belt has been damaged due to low-temperature embrittlement, and whether the insulation layer has any hollow areas. Before and after defrosting in the cold storage, focus on checking the heat tracing status of the drainage pipes to ensure that the large amount of condensed water generated during defrosting can be smoothly drained. Before winter arrives, conduct a comprehensive power-on test of the heat tracing system and replace any aging components.

The anti-freezing of cold storage drainage pipes is a crucial aspect of ensuring the stability of the refrigeration system. Special electric heat tracing bands, characterized by their low temperature resistance, self-regulating temperature, and ease of installation, precisely address the issue of freezing. They not only prevent equipment malfunctions caused by blocked drainage but also reduce the cost of manual de-icing, providing reliable anti-freezing protection for the efficient operation of cold storage.