When considering the importance pressure transmitters serve in any oil or gas piping system, it stands to reason that extreme care should be taken in preserving the ideal operation of such an instrumental component when operating in cold weather.
The Effects of Cold Weather on Pressure Transmitters
Oil and gas lines need to be unhindered in order to function at their maximum efficiency. Blockages must be cleared, leaks need to be repaired, but most importantly, working in low temperatures must be prepped for in advance. In fact, not preparing with the cold can sometimes result in your entire pipe system being shut down, as well as damage equipment that can be expensive to replace.
Even pressure transmitters can be vulnerable to freezing conditions. Most pressure transmitters are built to withstand rigorous and extended usage within reasonable climate ranges. Under normal conditions, a quality pressure transmitter will operate without any noticeable variances. However, when the temperature drops to extreme lows, pressure transmitters can malfunction and produce inaccurate readings.
Keep the Water Out
In regards to certain natural-gas-piping systems, extremely cold weather can cause water accumulation on the internal walls of the pipes themselves. If this same accumulation of water is allowed to build within a pressure transmitter or flow meter, the effects could cause significantly inaccurate readings, as well as eventual component failure. Additionally, adverse results similar in nature can happen within oil, water, and other fluid and gas-piping systems.
How to Protect Your External Instrumentations From Extreme Cold
Understanding the effects of cold weather on your instrumentation is only the first step, of course. Preventing problems from ever arising is what’s most important. It’s true that most pressure transmitters and flow meters are design with extreme conditions in mind, but they can only maintain ideal operation so far on their own—without the assistance of some heating aid. There is a drastic lack of options in the respective industries regarding any resolution to this problem, but some of the traditional approaches include the following:
- No resolution option
- Hoping for the best isn’t a good plan when it comes to expensive equipment and resources.
- Boxed heating elements
- The downside to this option is expense and permanence. When warmer weather returns the box stays on.
- Occasional heat treatments
- Danger, inefficiency, and expense are all factors when considering this approach. Best advice—don’t consider it at all.
The Powerblanket Approach
The best way to solve the problem of transmitter malfunction in cold weather is to protect the instrument against the weather itself. That’s why Powerblanket is the preferred choice for heating blankets that can meet all your freeze protection needs. Powerblankets patented approach allows for equal distribution of heat and allows for considerable costs savings when compared to the alternative.
Some companies offer boxed applications that are permanently installed over the unit, but these applications are expensive and can’t be removed during the warmer months. Powerblanket, on the other hand, offers a heating element that is easily applied and removed when needed.
When it comes to pipe heater blankets, don’t settle for less than what you need. Choose Powerblanket and rest assured that cold temperatures no longer pose a threat to your operations. For more information, call our pipe heater specialists at 866.945.4203 or reach them by email at [email protected].
Powerblanket's equipment boxes keep your valves and manifolds from freezing in even the harshest outdoor environments.
